The City of Louisville provides a wide range of services that are supported by various revenue sources. The City’s Financial Policies have been established to guide the City in providing these services in the most efficient way possible within the bounds of available revenue.

Financial policies are central to a strategic, long-term approach to financial management and are intended to serve as a blueprint to achieve the financial stability required to accomplish the City’s goals and objectives. More specifically, the intent of adopting a written set of financial policies is to institutionalize good financial management, clarify strategic intent for financial management, define certain boundaries and limits on actions that staff may take, support good bond ratings, promote long-term and strategic thinking, manage risks to financial condition, and comply with established best practices in public management.

The City’s Financial Policies have been written in relatively broad terms as guidelines for financial management decisions. These policies should not be confused with administrative statements of operating procedure, which cover the detailed steps needed to accomplish business processes. The City’s Financial Policies shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council. The policies shall be reviewed annually by management and any modifications made thereto must also be approved by resolution of the City Council.