New LG&E Fees in Store to Subsidize Louisville Public Safety

In the wake of recent downtown violence and LMPD shortcomings, Metro Council has given the green light to a 2% LG&E fee with a relatively narrow 12-10 vote.

The council received hundreds of emails opposing and only four supporting the agreement, which will charge the utility provider up to 2% of its gross natural gas sales in exchange for using city right-of-ways.  These additional fees will undoubtedly be passed along to LG&E customers, piling on to rate increases from MSD and an upcoming JCPS tax hike. 

The next stop for the agreement is Mayor Greg Fischer’s desk for his signature.  Fischer, who recently proposed an even higher 3% fee, called the vote “a strategic investment in our city that will put more police officers on the street and increase programs for youth while benefiting our entire community,” saying that the “small fee” – approximately averaging an extra $12-18 per year per family – will help us continue to have a safe city by helping to pay for new police officers and upgraded community centers, among other things.

The LG&E franchise fee increase was approved by Metro Council for a period of 16 months.  The meeting agenda minutes and video may be found online here.

Louisville Metro Council recently outlined the impact that various taxes and fees have on area residents.