Ballot Issue 2A
Vote Yes.
Section 1-1(z) of the City Charter defines “public body” in a way that includes boards, commissions, task forces and committees, but not the City Council. City Council has followed Charter requirements for special meetings, study sessions, public records and notices and other procedures. If approved, the proposed amendment would clarify that the City Council is included in the definition of “public body” and subject to the applicable Charter requirements. It’s self-evident that the City Council is a body of people, hence a “public body.” Vote YES on Louisville Ballot Issue 2A.
Ballot Issue 2B
Vote Yes.
The Charter currently requires that notices for special meetings be “served personally or left at the member’s usual place of residence.” To satisfy this requirement, staff hand-delivers a notice to each council member. If approved, the proposed amendment would allow the notice to be sent by electronic mail to the member’s e-mail address. Currently members receive packets and other information through e-mail, but not notices about special meetings.
The members already receive information via e-mail. Why not include notices about special meetings? This will decrease the council’s carbon footprint. Vote YES on Louisville Ballot Issue 2B.
Ballot Issue 2C
Vote Yes.
The Charter currently states: “Unless approved by the registered electors, the City shall not enter into any lease-purchase agreement.” If approved, the proposed amendment would allow for the lease-purchase of office and other equipment. It would also enable Louisville to implement energy efficiency projects, like solar panels, through lease-purchase agreements. This will allow the municipality to indirectly gain the benefit of tax rebates otherwise available only to the private sector. As the ballot question indicates, any lease-purchase agreement approved by the City Council would still be subject to voter referendum because state law requires that any lease-purchase agreement be approved by non-emergency ordinance, thus reserving the right of referendum.
Giving the city more flexibility is a good idea. If voters don’t like what the city wants to do, voters can always say no. Ballot Issue 2C is particularly appealing because it will allow the city to be up-todate with energy efficient equipment, saving taxpayer dollars. Vote YES on Louisville Ballot Issue 2C.
