The first semblance of
local government came shortly after the settlement began. This was originally considered part of Virginia. In 1779, pioneering founders elected five men as "trustees". In 1780 the town was formerly chartered and the Virginia legislature provided for local government by nine legislature-appointed trustees. When Kentucky became a state in 1792, the
Kentucky legislature took over the appointments. Trustees did not have to live in Louisville until a 1795 law change. In 1797 citizens were given home rule and the privilege of electing trustees. Most important decisions were made at the state level, and the trustees were administrators rather than legislators. When Louisville was incorporated as Kentucky's first city in 1828, it gained greater autonomy. A ten-member "Common Council" was founded, to be headed by a mayor. In 1851 the city was given a new charter, keeping the Common Council as a "lower house" to the
Board of Aldermen, an "upper house" of the city's
legislative power. In 1929 the larger but less prestigious Common Council was eliminated. This legislative system continued until City-County Merger. The 26-seat Louisville Metro Council was formally established in January 2003 upon the merger of the former City of Louisville with
Jefferson County. It replaced both the city's
Board of Aldermen and the county's
Fiscal Court (three county commissioners). == Council President == The
Louisville Metro Council President is the presiding officer of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Council. The President is elected annually by a majority vote of the entire council at the council's first meeting in January. Currently the President is Brent Ackerson (
D), who was elected on January 9, 2025.
Council Presidents †Died in office == Members ==