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Louisville Metro and Airbnb announced today the finalization of an agreement that will allow the company to collect and remit taxes on behalf of its hosts in Louisville and Jefferson County. Effective April 1, Airbnb will automatically collect and remit the Louisville Transient Room Tax (8.5%) for taxable bookings. The agreement allows Louisville to fully benefit from people visiting and staying longer through home sharing.
Collecting and remitting hotel taxes can be complicated, as the rules were designed for traditional hospitality providers and large hotel corporations with teams of lawyers and accountants.
That’s why Airbnb has begun partnering with governments throughout the world to collect and remit taxes, making the process seamless and easy for hosts to pay their fair share while contributing new revenue for local governments. These agreements are particularly impactful for a city like Louisville, where some homeowners may only be hosting visitors during a handful of large events such as the Kentucky Derby, and therefore are less likely to be aware of the applicable taxes associated with short-term rentals.
“I am delighted to see that the city has settled on an agreement with Airbnb. We have leisure and convention travelers requesting the option of an Airbnb. We have a growing number of Airbnb Hosts in Louisville – this will put them on the same playing field as our other accommodations in paying the transient room tax,” said Karen Williams, President & CEO of the Louisville Convention Bureau.
“We are always looking for opportunities to better serve taxpayers,” said Louisville Metro Revenue Commission Director Angela Dunn. “This agreement advances that goal by streamlining the local tax process for hosts.”
This marks Airbnb’s third tax agreement in Kentucky. In September 2017, the company announced a statewide tax agreement with the Kentucky Department of Revenue that authorized the company to collect and remit the state sales tax on all Kentucky Airbnb bookings (including in Louisville Metro). And earlier this year, Airbnb and Lexington announced an agreement authorizing Airbnb to collect and remit Lexington’s local room tax.
“We believe this agreement will unlock significant new revenue for Louisville Convention Bureau moving forward, and we’re so thrilled to have finalized it well prior to the Derby,” said Laura Spanjian, policy director for Airbnb. “With clear, fair rules to regulate home sharing and now a tax agreement to bring in new revenue, Louisville has emerged as a national model for how cities can capitalize from the sharing economy.”
The agreement comes at a time of dynamic home sharing growth in the Greater Louisville area. In 2017, Louisville-area Airbnb hosts earned $10 million in supplemental income while welcoming over 78,000 guest arrivals to the city.
Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Louisville Parks & Recreation have begun a $1,100,000 restoration project in the Bonnycastle Hill/Hogan Fountain area, one of the most active areas in Cherokee Park. To improve the area and provide a better park user experience, a picnic pavilion will be added in the southern area, the basketball court will be relocated, and other improvements include walking paths, and an upgraded parking area. The McCall shelter will remain in the area.
This popular area of Cherokee Park is named in honor of Mrs. Hattie Bonnycastle who donated the land to the city in the late 1800s. The Bonnycastle Hill area was included in the original plan for Cherokee Park by Frederick Law Olmsted. Sharing this area is the popular Hogan Fountain landmark, designed by Enid Yandell.
The Project is made possible by financial support from donors of Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s Campaign for Extraordinary Parks including the Stegner Family, along with support from the City of Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilman Brandon Coan and Louisville Parks and Recreation.
Estimated completion will be Fall 2018.
Photo: Louisville Metro Public Health And Wellness
A former employee at the Denny’s restaurant located at 4030 Dutchman’s Lane in St. Matthews has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.
The employee worked at the restaurant from February 9-22, 2018. As a result, customers who ate at the restaurant during that time period may be have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. If they develop symptoms of hepatitis A such as fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice, (yellowing of the skin and eyes), they should see their healthcare provider. Persons can become ill 2 to 6 weeks after being exposed to the virus.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver caused by a virus. It is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. Antibodies produced in response to hepatitis A infection last for life and protect against reinfection. The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is to get vaccinated.
Customers who may have been exposed are encouraged to visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav for more information.
The funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program were exhausted this year earlier than usual, following high demand and steps taken by the Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) to make requesting easier for qualified residents.
This year, an average of $225 were provided to more than 9,000 Louisville households during the LIHEAP Crisis phase, which pays late heating bills of low-income residents directly to service providers. In total, RCS distributed over $2.5 million in LIHEAP Crisis funds to low-income Louisville residents.
The LIHEAP Crisis phase closed the afternoon of Wednesday, March 7.
The 2018 LIHEAP Crisis component began on Jan. 8 and operated on a first come, first serve basis. In recent years, the program extended through the end of March to help low-income residents during the coldest months. The program is designed particularly to assist those who pay a high proportion of their household income toward home energy.
To ease the process for residents to request LIHEAP assistance, the Office of Resilience and Community Services in 2016 launched an automated telephone and online system for residents to make required in-person appointments for LIHEAP assistance requestors. In previous years, LIHEAP assistance requestors were required to make two trips to Community Services staff to apply for LIHEAP assistance – first to sign up for appointments and later to complete their applications. Also in 2016, LIHEAP locations were expanded from three to six sites, including four Neighborhood Place locations.
Residents who are currently in need of utility assistance are encouraged to call their local Community Ministry or Neighborhood Place. Call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service or MetroCall 311 to locate the nearest site.
Residents who are currently disconnected from services with their utility provider can walk into any of the six LIHEAP locations now through March 16, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. and from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and will be seen upon availability. No LIHEAP funding will be allocated for these disconnected households, but staff will contact LG&E to see if clients are eligible for payment arrangements.
Starting March 19 through March 30, those individuals who have been disconnected can walk into one of these three LIHEAP locations: Newburg Community Center, South Central Neighborhood Place and Ujima Neighborhood Place. The same hours and criteria listed above apply including no LIHEAP funding will be allocated at this time.
The six LIHEAP locations are as follows:
- Northwest Neighborhood Place/Academy at Shawnee, 4018 W Market St., 40212
- South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 40215
- Neighborhood Place Ujima/Duvalle Education Center, 3610 Bohne Ave., 40211
- Neighborhood Place/Bridges of Hope, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy., 40210
- Newburg Community Center/East, 4810 Exeter Ave, 40218
- Southwest Government Center/Dixie Highway location. 7219 Dixie Highway, 40258
“LIHEAP is a critical program for thousands of Louisville families”, said Gena Redmon, director of Resilience and Community Services. “We’re proud to be able to streamline the process of applying for this vital assistance and we’ll continue to look for more ways to streamline Metro Government processes so we can serve citizens with even greater efficiency.”
LIHEAP is a seasonal program which is anticipated to reopen in the fall, pending federal funding. Stay tuned to https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap for future updates.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio announced today that Kymberly “Kym” Rice has been named the new principal of the Academy @ Shawnee. Rice will begin leading the school on March 19.
“Kym is a tireless leader who is passionate about providing educational supports for students and ensuring that every child is engaged and feels a sense of belonging,” Dr. Pollio said. “She has a proven record of successful school turnaround work, and I know that great things are in store for Shawnee as she engages with families, staff and stakeholders to reimagine the opportunities available for students.”
Rice currently serves as the principal for Western Middle School for the Arts (WMSFA), where she’s worked to transform the instruction, expectations, culture and climate over the past five years. Staff and coworkers describe her as a tireless advocate for students.
“It was a difficult decision to leave WMSFA where we’ve had tremendous success, but those who know me best know that my work is a calling, and I feel led to impact the lives of even more students at Shawnee,” Rice said. “I look forward to partnering with the Shawnee community to create a new map for improvement and growth at this historic institution.”
Before leading WMSFA, Rice worked as a turnaround expert for the Kentucky Department of Education.
In Rice’s absence, assistant superintendent Michelle Dillard will work alongside retired administrator Betty Graham to oversee day-to-day operations at WMSFA until the end of the year. A new principal will be named this summer.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Dixie Highway is experiencing a renovation and renaissance as work continues on updating this important transportation corridor in Metro Louisville.
As part of that movement forward, this Saturday, more than 60 businesses will gather at the Discover Dixie Expo to showcase everything from education, financial services, healthcare and fitness to home improvement, computer and technical needs.
“The Southwest has many wonderful businesses serving our Dixie Highway community. The Discover Dixie Expo is a great way to bring together our local businesses under one roof. Please come out to meet and support our Dixie Area Businesses!” Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14).
The Dixie Area Business Association created the Expo, to highlight the benefits of the Dixie Highway Corridor, as well as other businesses in the marketplace. It is a great way to showcase these companies
“Southwest Louisville’s economy is built upon honest, reputable local businesses that serve our entire city. The Discover Dixie Expo is a showcase of these great entrepreneurs,” says Councilman David Yates (D-25). “I hope you will join me in keeping our dollars local by coming out and learning what each of these businesses can do for you!”
“Our Southwest Metro Council Team will be part of the DABA Expo to bring local government to the business community at this special event.,” says Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13). “I look forward to learning more about the many businesses that attend.”
Discover Dixie Expo is set for this Saturday, March 10th at Valley High School, 10200 Dixie Highway starting at 10:00am. Admission is free with a can good (non expired) with all going to Southwest Community Ministries.
2018 DABA BUSINESS EXPO EXHIBITOR LIST
Shop Local, Buy Local, Be Local, Discover the Power of Dixie!
- JenCare Senior Medical Center
- L&N Federal Credit Union
- Leanhart Plumbing, Inc.
- Ink Publishing & Design
- Senior Helpers
- Southwest YMCA
- Valley High School
- Metro Council District 12
- Metro Council District 13
- Metro Council District 14
- Metro Council District 25
- Signarama
- CareSource
- Newcomer Funeral Home
- LG&E
- 20/20 Eye Care
- Better Business Bureau
- Park Community Credit Union
- Humana
- Michael Walker Advertising
- Stephenson Nursery & Garden Center
- Cardinal Chiropractic Center
- Beacon Community Credit Union
- Harbor House of Louisville
- Southwest Community Ministries
- Owen Funeral Home
- Karing Kleaners
- Signature
- Ken Thieneman Builder
- LMPD Advisory Board
- Advantage Funeral Home
- Jefferson County Federal Credit Union
- Altitude Trampoline Park
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Cervices, LLC
- BNI Alliance for Business
- Waky RadioGeorgetown Manor
- The Riverside Farnsley Moreman
- Heartsong Memory Care
- Timmy’s Auto Wash
- Edward Jones
- G&S General Contracting LLC
- Triology
- SW Festival
- Sun Vally Community Center
- Maryhurst
Mayor Greg Fischer today helped launch the 2018 Pothole Blitz being conducted by Louisville Metro’s Department of Public Works. Department crews work across the city in a grid pattern in a concentrated effort each year to patch potholes created by the repeated freeze-thaw cycles of winter.
The end of winter blitz is in addition to year round patching of potholes reported by citizens. Mayor Fischer helped demonstrate a new piece of equipment that is helping crews do a better job of patching larger road depressions while using minimal amounts of new asphalt.
An asphalt recycling machine uses infrared light to heat the damaged asphalt of the pothole. Heating softens the old asphalt so it can be reworked, blended with new asphalt and smoothed out. The result is a smoother patch than traditional pothole repair methods.
“Pothole repair is government service to citizens literally where the rubber meets the road,” Fischer said. “The new infrared equipment shows that we’re constantly looking for ways to improve the daily commute in our city.”
Fischer urged citizens to continue reporting potholes to MetroCall in one of three easy ways. Those using the social network Twitter can use the hashtag 502pothole. Include the hashtag along with the address or nearest intersection of the pothole location in any tweet and MetroCall will get the message.
There’s also a pothole reporting form at the top of the city website, Louisvilleky.gov. Click on the “Report a pothole” link, put in the location information and press send. Of course, citizens may also call MetroCall at 311 or 574-5000. The 502pothole hashtag and the online form offer the advantage of avoiding the potential for having to wait on hold on the telephone.
The number of potholes in 2018 is expected to decline for a third consecutive year thanks to a combination of increased investment in paving, equipment, and mild winters. Potholes peaked at 171,000 in 2015 following years of deferred road maintenance and a rough winter. They decreased to 46,510 in calendar 2017.
The Mayor and Metro Council boosted spending on paving from just $2.8 million in 2014 up to approximately $21 million in each of the last two fiscal years. As a result, the number of miles paved increased from 26 in 2014 to about 130 miles yearly in 2016 and 2017. Newly repaved roads are less susceptible to the formation of potholes.
Public Works patches potholes on Metro Government maintained roads. Potholes on interstate highways should be reported to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 1-800-Patchit.
