SIGN UP FOR ALERTS!
Watterson Park Residents and Business Owners:
We understand the importance of communicating with you and ensuring that we keep you in the loop regarding events affecting the City of Watterson Park. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce that we have implemented REACH Alert, an alert and notification system. This system allows us to immediately share valuable information such as sanitation delays, power outages, and upcoming events with our residents and businesses.
If you don’t register, you won’t receive our messages.
We are providing this service at no cost to our Watterson Park residents and businesses. In order to receive notifications through REACH Alert, however, you need to register. You can decide if you want a text message, a voice call, or an email. Each residence or business in Watterson Park can register as many phone numbers and email addresses as necessary. The registration process is simple.
Go to www.reachalert.com (or scan QR Code to the right with your smart device) and click on Sign Up (upper right-hand corner). - For Network Name, type Watterson Park and click on our name when it appears.
- Follow the prompts and enter your preferred contact information. When you enter your address, click on it when it appears in the drop-down list.
REACH Alert will send a confirmation message to your cell phone or computer immediately upon completion of your registration. If you do not receive this message, please call REACH Alert at 877.307.9313.
If you do not have access to a computer or if you experience any difficulty registering, please contact REACH Alert at 877.307.9313.
Linda Chesser, Mayor
Watterson Park Property Acquisition
As most people in our community now know, Watterson Park has purchased from Yum! the five-acre tract of undeveloped land at 1391 Gardiner Lane located adjacent to the KFC offices. This was the parcel of property that Yum! had put on the market over a year ago. Special thanks to Mayor Chesser, Council Member Walter “Jay” Bourke, City Treasurer Jean Hall, and our attorneys for their assistance in the acquisition of and post-acquisition efforts related to Watterson Park’s new property.
Previously, Yum! had entered into a contract to sell the property to a developer who created plans to add another hotel and a large residential apartment project. The Council of the City determined that this development plan was not in the best interest of the City and its residents and, consequently, authorized the City’s attorneys to oppose the development. Over a many-month effort to resist this project, the developer withdrew its plans and terminated its purchase agreement with Yum!
After Yum! put the parcel back on the market, our City contacted Yum! to discuss the possibility of Watterson Park purchasing this tract. The negotiation was successful. On March 24 of this year the City closed on the acquisition.
The City of Watterson Park is looking at options to engage in a minimalist, natural setting development, namely a City park. This will be an extension of our own park system, which includes the Lillian Wild Walking Path and The Norman Liebert Green. It is expected that the approach with the new parcel will likely have more open space with some parking, a few walking areas, and possibly a small play-ground for children.
Sanitation Services Provider
July 1, 2024, thru June 30, 2026
Your City has selected Republic Services to provide garbage, recycling, and yard waste services from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. Since our current sanitation contract is with Republic, you shouldn’t notice any difference in the service already being provided.
Click here for the collection calendar for the second half of 2024. Garbage is collected every Friday; recycling and composting are collected on alternating Fridays. Please have all items at the curb the night before your scheduled service day. Contact Republic Services at least two days in advance to schedule a bulk item pickup.
To report a problem with your service or for more information, call Republic Services at 502.638.9000. You can also visit their website, www.RepublicServices.com; or use their phone app, Republic Services.
Sanitation Carts
This is a reminder that the City of Watterson Park expects sanitation carts to be moved back to your home, away from the street, on the same day of pickup. This is a courtesy that we strive to extend to all of our neighbors, as carts left at the street can be stolen or damaged, can signify to potential burglars that no one is home, and are unsightly.
In the event that carts continue to be left at the street after pick-ups, the City Council may need to request our legal counsel to draft an ordinance that will mandate this type of action and will impose fines and/or cessation of trash pickup for violations. We prefer not to use this action since we have always been a collegial community.
Thanks for your cooperation and for being a good neighbor!
Sanitation Tips
• Place the carts against the curb or gutter with the arrows on the lid facing the street and the handle facing the residence.
• Place carts the night before or by 4 a.m. on your scheduled service day.
• Allow at least 2 feet between carts, and 5 feet between carts and other objects, so the automated arm can reach your containers.
• Do not lean anything against the carts.
• Make sure lids are securely shut. Materials should not extend beyond the container’s rim.
• Please move emptied carts to the rear of your property by the end of pick-up day.
• Mark recycle and yard waste pick-up dates on your calendar.
• To schedule pickup for a bulk item that does not fit in the cart, contact Republic Services at least 24 hours in advance.
• If you have any questions or concerns regarding your service, please contact Republic Services.
Phone: 502.638.9000
App: Republic Services
Keeping Streets Clear
Please park your vehicles in your driveway on sanitation pickup days. Vehicles parked on the street pose maneuverability issues for the large sanitation trucks, creating a potential hazard. Also, when snow is forecast, please park your vehicle in your driveway to insure the safe and speedy removal of snow from the street in front of your house.
Thanks for your cooperation and for being a good neighbor!
Landlords, Did You Know?
Louisville Metro has a rental registry ordinance. You can learn about it here.
The ordinance requires all rental properties located in Louisville Metro, including Watterson Park, to be registered with Louisville Metro Government.
Find out how to register your rental property via this link.
Don’t delay in registering! Failure to register is subject to a fine up to $100 per day per housing unit.
Watterson Park Audit for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023
To the Residents and Property Owners of the City of Watterson Park:
The audit report for the City of Watterson Park’s last fiscal year of operations ending June 30, 2023, is available online via the following links:
• The Auditor's Opinion Letter and the Budgetary Comparison Schedules of All Funds
Should you have any questions, please send them to the City’s email address, wattersonparkinfo@att.net, and we will answer them promptly.
LMPD 6th Division E-Newsletter
You can subscribe to the LMPD 6th Division E-newsletter and receive it via text or email. This monthly E-newsletter begins with a Message from Major Mindy Vance and is followed by a plethora of information, including crime trends, outreach programs, safety tips, Officer of the Month recognition, and more. Links to LMPD personnel and services are also provided. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here to get startedr
Code Enforcement Officer Hired by Watterson Park
Your City Council has contracted with Louisville Code Enforcement & Mediation to provide code enforcement services for Watterson Park. For more information, go to the City Services page on this website.
George Stewart, founder and owner of Louisville Code Enforcement & Mediation, is a former Jefferson County Police/Louisville Metro Police White Collar Crime Detective, retiring after 20 years of service.
In 2006 he was the lead investigator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Investigations Unit. In 2011 he was assigned to the staff as a senior advisor to the Attorney General, consulting on security and constituent services matters as well as public corruption investigations until 2016.
At the end of 2016, Mr. Stewart started Louisville Code Enforcement & Mediation, providing code enforcement services to several small cities in the Metro Area. He performs a variety of technical duties in support of a city’s local code enforcement program, and monitors and enforces applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations.
Mr. Stewart lives in Louisville. He is married and has two grown daughters, a stepdaughter, and a granddaughter.
It’s the Law!
As a resident or business owner, you have a responsibility to maintain the appearance of your property so as not to diminish the value of other properties in your neighborhood.
Abandoned Vehicles: It is illegal to keep or store abandoned vehicles (inoperable, unlicensed, or vehicle parts) on residentially zoned property unless they are stored in an enclosed structure.
Front Yard Parking: It is illegal to park in the required front yard of residential property.
High Weeds and Grass: Officers from Metro Code Enforcement will issue a citation and an automatic $100 fine to a property owner for grass or weeds higher than 10"; the fine for a second infraction will be $200. If the citation is ignored, the fine can be increased to $1,000. Louisville Metro is no longer sending out warning letters or notices.
Parking on Sidewalks: It is illegal to park vehicles on any portion of a public sidewalk.
Vehicle Repair Businesses: It is illegal to operate a vehicle repair business on residentially zoned property.
Heavy Trucks: It is illegal for heavy trucks (dual rear axles) to park in residentially zoned areas. This includes driveway and street parking of semi-trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles.
Fence Heights: Fences can be up to 8 feet tall on side and rear yards and 4 feet tall in front yards. Fences or objects (shrubs, trees, etc.) on corner lots cannot be over 2 feet tall to allow proper vision at an intersection.
Display of Address Numbers: All residential properties in Jefferson County are required to display the appropriate address number. The numbers must be 4 inches in height and a different color from their background. They should be standard Arabic numbers.
Louisville Metro Rental Registry: Non-owner-occupied properties must be registered with the Louisville Metro Rental Registry so the property owner can be contacted by Code Enforcement in the event of an emergency or if there is a lack of general maintenance on the rental property. Failure to register is subject to a fine of up to $100 per day per housing unit.
From Louisville Metro District 10
Happy Retirement!
After serving as Treasurer of the City of Watterson Park for 43 years, Jerry Wild retired from that position in April 2023.
Jerry began serving as Watterson Park’s Treasurer in 1981. In this position, he was responsible for ensuring sound fiscal policies related to the use of City resources. He handled the deposit, investment, and disbursement of all municipal funds. Jerry attended monthly City Council meetings, where he presented financial statements for the City Council’s approval. He also worked with our Mayor and City Attorney related to forecasting for the annual budget. Jerry collaborated annually with our CPA to ensure our annual audit was performed correctly and efficiently.
After tendering his resignation, Jerry stayed on as a consultant for several months, training and working closely with his replacement to ensure a smooth transition.
The Watterson Park Mayor, Council, and Officers thank Jerry for his many years of exemplary service and wish him the best in the years to come.
Real Property Tax Rate Reduction
For
Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Watterson Park has once again reduced your real property tax rate. The reduction—from 5.8¢ to 5.7¢ per $100.00 of assessed valuation—should provide some much-needed financial relief to our businesses as well as to our residents.
With your taxes, Watterson Park provides trash, recycle, and yard waste pickup for residential properties; snow removal (except for Metro- or state-owned streets); street light installation and rental; maintaining rights-of-way; street and boundary signs; road and sidewalk paving and repairs; tree planting and maintenance; and off-duty police patrol, among other services.
The real property tax rate in Watterson Park is among the lowest in the entire state. You can view tax rates for all Kentucky cities via revenue.ky.gov.
So when you receive your tax bill this fall, if it’s not being paid through your home mortgage escrow account, PLEASE mail your payment so we can continue to offer the services our residents and businesses deserve and to which they have become accustomed.
Insurance Premiums Tax
As you may know, City and County governments impose license taxes on premiums paid to insurance companies (except for worker’s compensation and health insurance). This represents a significant source of revenue for the City of Watterson Park and helps to keep other taxes lower than they would be otherwise.
You can help us make sure that these taxes are properly paid to Watterson Park and not to some other city by notifying your insurance company that the premium tax you pay should be forwarded to the City of Watterson Park, P.O. Box 35334, Louisville, KY 40232. Doing so will not increase your taxes or the cost of your insurance. Instead, it will help us ensure that the license tax on insurance companies that is already being collected is properly received by the City of Watterson Park and used to pay for services for your benefit.
This tax should not be confused with the state insurance premium surcharge, which is also assessed on most types of insurance policies. Those revenues are dedicated to the Firefighters Foundation Program fund and the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund. Policyholders should see the local tax (if it is imposed) and the state tax as two separate line items on their premium notices.
If a Coyote Is in Your Neighborhood
If you spot a coyote in your neighborhood, relax: Most coyotes avoid people. “Seeing a coyote out during the day is not a cause for alarm, especially in the spring and summer when they’re looking for food for their pups,” says Lynsey White, HSUS director of humane wildlife conflict resolution.
If a coyote displays no fear of people, he’s probably been fed. You can reinstill his fear by raising your arms and yelling to drive him away. This is called "hazing." Unlike trapping, which sometimes catches pets or other wildlife but rarely the coyotes who are causing problems, hazing works.
Coyotes may mistake small, unattended pets as prey or attack large dogs they view as threats to territory or dens. To keep your animals safe, take two simple steps:
- Watch your pets. Keep cats indoors, and never leave small dogs outside unsupervised or let any dog out of your yard off leash.
- Secure food sources. Store garbage in wildlife-proof containers and feed pets indoors.
Hazing and securing food sources are more effective solutions to coyote problems than killing.
Please check the Humana Society's website to get additional information and tips.
(From humanesociety.org)
Above photos are from recent coyote sightings on Conaem Drive.
Courtesy of former Councilman Phil Johnson.
Homestead Exemption: What is it?
Kentucky’s Constitution allows qualified property owners to receive the Homestead Exemption on their primary residence. The exemption for 2019–2020 has been increased to $39,300.
To qualify for the exemption, you must be 65 years of age or older, and must own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the year in which you apply for the exemption. If you are eligible to receive the Homestead Exemption, the exemption amount is subtracted from your property’s assessed value, reducing your property tax liability.
Only one exemption (Homestead or Disability) is allowed per household. Once approved for the Homestead Exemption, you are not required to reapply annually.
Contact the Jefferson County PVA for application forms and additional information.
Responsible Dog Ownership
Owning a dog comes with certain obligations. In addition to licensing and vaccinating your pet, you are required to adhere to other regulations set forth under Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government Code of Ordinances, Title IX, Chapter 91. Please do your neighbors—and your pet—a favor by obeying these laws.
According to this Ordinance: “If off the premises of the owner where permission has not been granted, the animal must be restrained by a lead or leash and under the control of a reasonable person physically able to control the dog.”
About Watterson Park...
The City of Watterson Park is a home-rule city located between Poplar Level Road and Newburg Road south of the Watterson Expressway (I-264).
The population of Watterson Park is just under a thousand people – small enough to promote a sense of community and safety, yet large enough to provide the basic amenities. Although situated away from downtown Louisville, Watterson Park enjoys an ideal location, with easy access to shopping, restaurants, transportation, lodging, financial institutions, churches, schools, and recreational and cultural activities.
The City of Watterson Park has a strong business base for a city of its size. We are the home and corporate headquarters of Yum! Brands, Inc. Other businesses located in our City include schools, restaurants, motels, printers, packaging, moving, storage, distributors, manufacturing, and construction, among others. We place a high value on our corporate citizens. Whether you’re expanding an existing business or starting a new one, we have a lot to offer, including affordable real estate, a strategic location, a safe environment, and a low tax rate.
Watterson Park is one of only 37 cities in Kentucky that belong to the Tree City USA program. Our forestry program has received the Tree City USA award from the Arbor Day Foundation annually since 2001.
The City of Watterson Park strives continually to improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses. We are proud of our City and invite you to check out this site and see what we have to offer!
Thank you...
to the Jefferson County Farm Bureau for providing the space for our monthly City Council meetintgs.
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