Here is a brief summary of major actions taken by the Lebanon City Council at their May 8th meeting:
✅ Council approved Bill No. 6481 adopting the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget beginning July 1.
How will this impact me?
This will impact Lebanon residents in numerous and noticeable ways. Based on citizen feedback, addressing traffic control, improving code enforcement and stormwater management remain the top three priorities. Here are some highlights of projects funded this year:
📈 Funding for Lebanon Project 2040. This project will help create a roadmap for developing and improving Lebanon for the next 20 years.
🛣️ 3.2 miles of street overlay projects including Berrywood, Raspberry, Ryan, Danielle, Timberwood, Bethel, Stella, Deadra, Cranberry, Eastmont, Tekary and Hospital.
👣 Sidewalk improvements for East Bland, Elm Street, Morgan Road, Slate Street and ADA sidewalk ramp replacements.
🌊 Stormwater management improvements – Mountrose, West Bland and Dry Auglaize.
👣 Sidewalk construction for the Beck and Ivey lanes area.
🚶 A walkability connector between Harke Park and Nelson Park and Sports Complex.
👣 Sidewalks for Gasconade and Boswell parks
😃 Complete renovation and remodel of Wallace Park
🅿️ Engineering for additional parking at Nelson Park and Sports Complex
🛣️ Planning for improvements at the intersection of South 5 and Freemont
🏠 Major investment and construction of infrastructure for new subdivisions, including the Flatwoods Development, the Legacy Trails Development and Beck Housing Development (Bridge Builders). All these projects will help address Lebanon’s housing shortage.
💡🚰 Continued investment and upgrades in electric and water systems.
🏦 This year’s budget also provided funding for reserve accounts that will set aside revenue for major projects over the coming years.
✅ Council approved Bill No. 6485 authorizing the sale of Lots 7 and 8 in the Lebanon Industrial Park for development.
Why is this important?
As Lebanon continues to grow, we must work to facilitate bringing in more business development. An undisclosed developer plans to build a commercial type of retail business in the industrial park.
✅ Council adopted Resolution No. 494 adopting the 2023 Airport Master Plan.
What does this mean for Lebanon?
This master plan will provide a roadmap for current and future leaders to continue to grow and expand the airport. In recent years, we have seen enough growth that the Floyd W. Jones Airport is now recognized as a regional airport.
✅In other business, council appointed John Gideon to a term on the park board ending in June 2024, and Neil Wilkinson and Melody Allen to terms expiring in June 2026. Carrie Plassmeyer was also reappointed to the board with a term expiring in June 2026.
This is just a brief summary of highlights from the Lebanon City Council. To learn more, we encourage you to follow the local media outlets. The agenda for this meeting is available on the city website.