Louisville's new budget puts $400 million toward public safety, fire station and police upgrades

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro's budget for 2025-26 will fund first responders' efforts to keep people safe, whether that's from shootings or fires.

Last month, Louisville saw the fewest June homicides in the past 11 years. The city is on track to see a decline in gun violence for the third year in a row.

Homicides are down 36% in the city compared to this time last year. The city's new budget aims to help keep crime down, with more than $400 million dedicated to public safety.

Louisville Fire will soon get its first new fire station in 15 years. The new Engine 23 will replace an existing firehouse in the Iroquois neighborhood, and cost $3 million.

"Just to kind of modernize that house," Captain Donovan Sims said. "Make accommodations for all firefighters to be in that house and make it a little larger. That firehouse was built in the early 50s, so it's more than ready for an update."

Sims said several other firehouses are also currently getting upgrades.

"We live in these firehouses 24 hours at a time," he said. "You want your firehouse to be nice, so having those updated facilities really help a lot."

It's thanks to Metro's new budget, which has about $100 million more than last year's. Nearly half of it is surplus money from this past fiscal year.

The city plans to make historic investments into public safety and first responders without creating additional debt.

LMPD saw the biggest budget increase of the city departments, with approximately $246 million allotted.

That money will go toward future recruit classes, the Summit Wellness Center, new police cars, license plate readers, and LMPD's new headquarters.

The city also has $6 million set aside to buy land in south Louisville for a new first responder training facility.

In April, LMPD said some of the top priorities for the space would be a driving track and outdoor gun range.

"It's too soon to give an estimated cost for the overall project because we have not yet secured a location and prices fluctuate with inflation and needs," LMPD spokesman Aaron Ellis said in a statement.

The training facility will be open to first responders across the region, not just LMPD.

Louisville Fire has its own million-dollar facility. However, Sims said you can never have too much training, especially when it comes to bridge and overpass rescues or structural collapses.

"We train all the time to make sure we can do that to the highest capability possible," Sims said "So to have another entity, another asset to train at -- We're happy for that."

As soon as next spring, Louisville could start using drones as first responders. The first-of-its kind initiative that's referred to as Drone as First Responder (DFR) program.

The drones will be launched remotely from firehouses and sent ahead to emergencies requiring first responders, giving police, fire and EMS an advanced, aerial view before they make it to the scene. They will provide real-time video "and situational awareness before the first on-the-ground crews arrive," according to a release.

Now that the budget has been approved, Emergency Services will begin renovations at a new "Remote Operations Center" at MetroSafe for the Tactical Flight Operators (TFOs). The MetroSafe local will help ensure TFOs can listen to dispatch radio traffic in real-time, creating a simultaneous response.

The city's budget gave MetroSafe $908,000 this fiscal year for the pilot program. A spokesperson said the department will get more funds at a later date.

Other upgrades to public safety include traffic feedback signs and a larger police presence downtown. Officials said there will also be more flock cameras across the city, particularly at parks.

"LMPD has roughly 300 Flock devices either installed or in the process of being installed throughout our community," Ellis said in a statement. "We are actively reviewing data and refining our deployment strategy to ensure that camera placement aligns with best practices and community safety priorities. Flock technology has already proven to be a valuable investigative tool. It has assisted our officers and detectives in numerous cases that may have otherwise remained unsolved. Flock cameras have contributed to the recovery of stolen vehicles, helping to bring resolution to victims and support ongoing investigations. We remain committed to leveraging technology responsibly and transparently to enhance public safety and ensure the well-being of all members of our community."

The new budget went into effect July 1, 2025.

Here is a breakdown of the where some of the city's money is going:

In regards to public safety, the budget includes funds for more flock cameras, traffic feedback signs and sets money aside for a future First Responders Training Facility and continue funding of the new LMPD headquarters.
For infrastructure, the budget sets aside $30 million for road repair and repaving with additional funding to address road enhancements in high growth areas like Hurstbourne Parkway, Westport Road, Aiken Road and Cedar Creek Road.
About $1 million was allocated for 18 traffic calming, road enhancement projects throughout the city.
The budget invests more into the city's parks like Alberta Jones Park and GG Moore Park; replacement of lighting at some of the ballfields at AB Sawyer Park; a new gym at the Newburg Community Center; and a new gym and reconstructed pool at Sun Valley Community Center.
The budget calls for $24.5 million to address the housing needs of people in the community.

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