Shepherdsville council gives first reading to fiscal 2025-26 city and sewer budgets; second reading set for June 9

Shepherdsville City Council gave first readings June 2 to two ordinances that lay out the city’s general fund and sewer department budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026; council members scheduled second readings for June 9.

The ordinances were read into the record by Catherine (staff member). "The annual budget for fiscal year beginning 07/01/2025 and ending 06/30/2026 is hereby adopted as follows," she read during the first ordinance, which was sponsored by Council Member Bonnie Unlow. The sewer ordinance was sponsored by Council Member Jennifer Mendez.

Why it matters: together the documents set the city’s revenue estimates and appropriations for the coming year, including multi‑million‑dollar capital projects and department budgets that determine services and local capital work.

Most significant figures in the general fund ordinance as read into the record include resources listed as $48,065,442 available for appropriation and total appropriations of $48,062,297, leaving an excess (resources over appropriations) of $3,145. The ordinance lists $16,000,000 shown as transferred in ARPA and bonds and carried‑forward funds of $4,800,000. Total estimated revenues for the general fund were read as $27,655,442.

The ordinance itemizes major departmental appropriations: public works appropriations total $9,392,000, including $7,404,000 in capital expenses listed for parks and streets (playground, filtration/restroom building, amphitheater, town‑square development, sidewalks/road repairs and drainage projects). The city and park capital expansion line lists $16,000,000 and specifically includes an aquatic center and skate park.

Fire department appropriations were read as $8,734,305, with capital needs described as appliance and equipment updates, SCBA cylinder rotation and other station and apparatus upgrades totaling $778,305. Police appropriations were read as $8,346,855, with $70,000 listed for IT equipment and systems. Council appropriations were shown as $181,955. The ordinance text also contains severability and repeal language and cites statutory provisions referenced in the ordinance text.

On the sewer side, the ordinance text included estimated sewer revenues of $6,460,048.30 and total sewer appropriations of $6,453,553.96, leaving an excess of $2,494.17 to carry forward. The sewer revenue lines read included a $3,802,500 line labeled as sewer revenue (LWDC), a $2,300,000 payment listed as "Jim Beam payment," and other fees and charges (capacity fees, tap‑on fees, interest income). Capital expenses for sewer were described to include principal and loan payments, equipment purchases, small sewer projects and treatment‑plant site improvements totaling about $2,161,999.96.

Council discussion focused on requests from several members for more detailed capital cost descriptions and the timing of receiving those details. One council member recounted an earlier agreement that long‑form descriptions would be circulated and pressed staff on why final numbers appeared the day of the meeting. Staff responders said some final project numbers and a fire department order arrived the day of the meeting and that copies and corrected electronic versions would be provided to council members and to two attendees (Tom and Joe) who requested them.

Council Member Jennifer Mendez asked for clarification about a listed "Filtration Restroom Building," and staff described it as a pavilion/restroom building with restrooms and related pavilions; staff also said there will be a satellite restroom near the baseball field and restroom/playground facilities in the Mulvaney area and a separate satellite for the skate park.

No final adoption votes on either budget ordinance were recorded at the June 2 meeting; both ordinances were read for the first time and a second reading was scheduled for June 9, 2025. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that carried on a voice/roll call with those on record voting "Yes": Brad; Jennifer; Brock; and Frank.

Council sponsors, staff and the full ordinance texts will determine any subsequent amendments at the June 9 second readings.