Metro Budget Proposal Calls For Layoffs, Other Cuts

Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson has unveiled his proposed budget for the next fiscal year.The spending plan anticipates a 1.4 percent decrease in revenue. That decline is absorbed through spending cuts, a salary freeze and layoffs.One hundred nineteen (119) Metro employees would be laid off under the plan. Four-hundred nine (409)vacant jobs would be eliminated. The mayor and his leadership team would each take a five percent pay cut and all nonunion salaries would be frozen.Taxes would not be increased, but several fees would go up. In addition, funding to external agencies has again been cut in the plan and remaining employees will be furloughed for four days.Funding for public safety would increase slightly from last year and stimulus dollars will be used to create about three thousand private sector jobs.The budget now goes to the Metro Council for approval. The final spending plan takes effect July 1st. For more details on the mayor's budget, click here.