[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6046390,"mediaKeyId","3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2","parentId",3547761,"title","Lebanon directors flag utility capital needs: $70M wastewater estimate, membrane replacements and infiltration concerns","audioSeconds",2612,"startMs",4328000,"endMs",6940000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2&start=4328&end=6940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2/thumbnail_4328000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6046390/Lebanon/Linn-County/Oregon/Lebanon-directors-flag-utility-capital-needs-70M-wastewater-estimate-membrane-replacements-and-infiltration-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046390-17d7d226e127e16b2896e44f63dcb340/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141444&Signature=YtL46Xckv~oWUSgLdAphaGWI2NWmpNlpE5RtVC7FCzZbMGmFh-MJUlQPWAjaM~t8YFqrFPGn5gaZ5UFvhc2voZBQQMUrAlHpz7g5yjHgzqhfXrYL~UkqTzUeBNQePokttv2PekHu9UIDf77ixDkLHojhYuEi~W1NZ3MLdPGCuHxw6k2Kh6BctVx4DqyoIrh1iLG995jcCaub2PursHKbnrmP9EmGBCa9tr6y97ZDpu3CrZQxPmt-hBQyyK25h~9eeMncxZqnXQgthLc7KNLaYZAt5aOHqBTMl~0cNwXuw9yN6W8fv1EALcvYMURSswAs1eU3D9hkBqr4L0mazpTjnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lebanon, OR","date","2025-05-07T10:46:14Z","article","City directors outlined several near- and long-term capital pressures for Lebanon's utility systems during the budget presentation.

Public Works Director Jason Williams described ongoing operations and projects across parks, streets, water and wastewater. Williams said water meter replacement is about 85% complete and the department plans mixers for two reservoirs to improve water quality. He described the collections system's effort to reduce inflow and infiltration that now produces large storm-driven spikes at the wastewater plant; Williams noted flows can jump from routine 2.5 million gallons per day to 18 million gallons per day during major rain events.

City staff told the committee the impending Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulations affecting biosolids land application have significantly increased disposal costs; Williams cited present disposal runs that use multiple dumpsters and estimated $6,300 per dumpster to send biosolids to the landfill under current constraints.

Engineering staff and the City Manager told the committee the wastewater master plan and permit renewal are pending DEQ action; the city has set aside about $20 million but staff estimated a planning-level need on the order of $70 million to address required wastewater treatment improvements over several years. The budget includes a $350,000 sanitary sewer lateral replacement program to reduce infiltration and improve treatment plant performance.

Finance and public works staff also noted recent or expected capital items: potential rehabilitation of a 'skip pond' adjacent to Industrial Way, proposed drainage improvements on Second Street, crack sealing and SDC-eligible projects the city wants to keep ready for bid. Staff described a cost driver at the water plant: membrane filtration elements with an expected life of 10'15 years are being replaced sooner and more frequently than anticipated, increasing operating costs.

City staff said they are pursuing grant and federal funding opportunities and a lawsuit related to a Corps of Engineers drawdown to recoup costs where feasible, and will continue to prioritize projects and seek outside funding. The committee included the planned utility projects and replacement program in the adopted budget package forwarded to council for final adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lebanon Oregon City Budget Committee Meeting 05-06-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public works and engineering directors told the budget committee of aging infrastructure and regulatory pressures: costly wastewater treatment upgrades (staff estimate ~$70 million), frequent membrane replacements at the water treatment plant, a $350,000 lateral replacement program and pending approvals tied to Corps of Engineers drawdown work.","taxTitle","Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon","taxId",56921,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046395,"Lebanon police outline staffing gains, traffic enforcement plans and ongoing jail closure concerns",806,6104000,6910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2&start=6104&end=6910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2/thumbnail_6104000.jpg","/articles/6046395/Lebanon/Linn-County/Oregon/Lebanon-police-outline-staffing-gains-traffic-enforcement-plans-and-ongoing-jail-closure-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046395-6ca5cb361f0e9a3bb7c72fd500068816/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141444&Signature=GdudelfIxIkQEjRqZ96cbtc1uGwysN4Gvn0Z6DV-rydVk2em5CDDCHDxCUOBoqxLnSoEX9Ok8rVyhVO~P5D7LhGq~InRK~9VTiYqE8kiOBbc9amMSb4PDO~M~-M4iRFwAjTAzACklcQAvhksnO6CqUw~57bCYSwkvHlpqDgqCGX5cO24QFzOtC~kX9y4jf~MbEW3TskGhaH3TPOOq67uSU3r-vLv~9dgi7vB8BgvfFqWZJpezu1uFXGYnIEMgQtpfmn4ejbDfWeUhZZdqxs4kpz5rqbfpzOouoiQznqBonoK1dkJ31ZISBX~KUBqn7Rdk722guqHOl9ItGFBOphXXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lebanon Police Chief Frank Stephenson told the Budget Committee the department has rebounded from previous vacancies and now has two open sworn positions: one police officer and one dispatcher. The improved staffing levels allow the department to designate an officer for traffic enforcement and to restore a full detective unit.

Stephenson said the department plans technology investments to improve operations, including wider deployment of e-ticketing from patrol vehicles to reduce data entry and improve accuracy, a more robust citizen reporting app, expanded language-line services for non-English callers, and a new unmanned aircraft system (drone) program to assist searches and emergency response.

At the same time, the chief and committee discussed the long-running closure of the municipal jail and the operational and budgetary barriers to reopening it. Stephenson said the closed facility limits the department's ability to hold people locally and to apply detention as a short-term accountability measure; he identified staffing and funding for certified corrections personnel and medical staffing as critical to any reopening plan.

The police budget also reflects higher towing and storage costs tied to abandoned RVs and trailers, and budgeted vacancy assumptions reflect recent experience with turnover and recruiting. Committee members emphasized the need for more enforcement in traffic corridors and in downtown areas; the chief said traffic enforcement will begin with targeted assignments on known problem streets.

The committee included the department's operating requests, including funding for the emergency operations center upgrade that will support the police department's training and incident-response capabilities.","Police Chief Frank Stephenson reported improved staffing levels but said the city's jail remained closed; the department plans dedicated traffic enforcement, electronic ticketing and a drone program.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046400,"Lebanon to fund downtown events and visitor services: $30,000 to Downtown Association, $42,000+43,000 to Chamber",156,320000,476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2&start=320&end=476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2/thumbnail_320000.jpg","/articles/6046400/Lebanon/Linn-County/Oregon/Lebanon-to-fund-downtown-events-and-visitor-services-30000-to-Downtown-Association-4200043000-to-Chamber","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046400-79d071b2b7dc0721075987774cc1b1dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141444&Signature=W6~zp4V6IUORUKV8t56MtpHamV0Z-~~KY00gD7HtEK4MPIJwYpNqocxP1468wSxxjILM6D61XX70BJc7qaxE26DwRN4AYNuZxCMv~2zcXrWzkoIRoW5x0HOwMIzU~MuPO-ir656axf0F~vxO7sLhsNkBKsOLSSUaWnQfk7PhELzDnCjSBYFrSOyZYEZ0QCTtkia~XlmxF-86Xrk9vRPIz54trPv0--6czwfcXbU8myI3Oz90s1rrzRuPUekv~2zvLgDmluRtfgxyjwGYoueBUGUABUHBW4VlQQ0HqRf2BBq4G4rOQVNcNFako7uCgbHPs007uehX84QbIjAHRtaeiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lebanon Budget Committee heard presentations from downtown and chamber representatives and included motel tax contributions in the proposed FY 2025'26 budget to support local tourism and downtown programming.

Robert Rogers, who identified himself as treasurer for the Lebanon Downtown Association, told the committee the association plans to use $30,000 in city motel-tax (transient lodging tax) support to pay its executive director and underwrite events intended to attract visitors and customers downtown. Rogers presented a projected $77,000 in LDA revenue for the coming year, with $65,000 in forecasted expenses and roughly $11,000 in surplus for reinvestment.

Rebecca Grizzle presented the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce budget request. The proposed city contribution includes $42,000 to operate the visitor center that serves walk-in information needs and $43,000 allocated to a chamber-run grant program that the chamber's volunteer tourism committee reviews. The tourism committee told the budget committee it prioritizes grants that \"put heads in beds,\" giving preference to multi-day events and sporting tournaments that generate overnight lodging tax revenue.

Chamber representatives said the grant program's typical ceiling for one-day events was recently raised from $500 to $1,000, and the committee looks for events that will generate hotel stays and broader visitor spending. The chamber also described a modest capital use of motel-tax funds previously approved by the tourism committee: placing bollards in front of the chamber building to prevent vehicle intrusions; chamber staff said the bollards have helped avoid further business interruptions.

Neither organization's presentation produced a separate vote in the budget committee meeting; the allocations were included in the overall FY 2025'26 budget the committee approved and forwarded to the City Council.

Both presenters told the committee they are trying to expand non-city revenue sources: the downtown association described a membership drive and event sponsorships, plus potential grant administration fees tied to anticipated Oregon Main Street grants; the chamber described grant administration and event-based strategies to broaden funding.","Budgeted motel tax contributions include $30,000 for the Lebanon Downtown Association to pay an executive director and run events, and $42,000 for the Chamber's visitor center plus $43,000 for a chamber grant program.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046406,"Lebanon budget committee approves FY 2025–26 spending plan, advances urban renewal payments",379,8841000,9220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2&start=8841&end=9220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3547761-37095469c750b1dc833821224d1f11c2/thumbnail_8841000.jpg","/articles/6046406/Lebanon/Linn-County/Oregon/Lebanon-budget-committee-approves-FY-202526-spending-plan-advances-urban-renewal-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046406-8c1ca8fc9df994cdf20021631a41ad9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141444&Signature=WULBNwmPvEpa~ZtkrkYhU8qidxk~qJ5zZhuLo-7p2DeLt4kxWSU9FnMw-~vSW-uYmVHuLnVbHV~fGRHyPWYyY3V8OzL5LqcPGfvLHkzOMU80S5PNOJK0cPfDwQ-1pfvpYcsig2MXKu1RAtHISv7dingbbVBSrJgD6C-huW8c9I-vsnq8N2Y6vTArTzlMV-AoIIu0GK~y2rV5aCJ5-opYDALcIlDsGm4vZxdQtJ34~EHKETkSxaBKRGES-YnYmj5YSb4cuk0asTgUA7pVrwaPZr-bT3TIA6VtdBkK0Fls8fFZM7n-AAsVy4DiX-C2SMwv~5dBCP1EqCB5CTGkoGENjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lebanon Budget Committee on May 6 approved the city's proposed fiscal year 2025'26 budget and recommended one-year urban renewal tax levies, voting to forward the measures to the City Council for adoption.

The approved measure as read at the meeting set the proposed budget at $95,677,938 and included a property tax levy described in the motion as $5.01364 per $1,000 of assessed value and a $2,000,000 general obligation levy; the committee also voted to adopt the agency budgets and tax divisions for four urban renewal districts.

Committee chair and Finance Director Brandon presented the budget and described key choices that shaped the package, including using a recently enacted $18 monthly city services fee on residential doors and apartment units to shore up the general fund. City Manager Ron Whitelatch and department directors summarized their department-level changes in a series of presentations that preceded the approval vote.

Committee members spent significant time on remaining fiscal risks: long-term pension (PERS) liabilities, projected declines in some state-shared taxes, and major future capital needs in the city's utilities. Committee discussion produced no change to the fee this year; the budget keeps the $18 monthly charge in place but does not raise it for FY 2025'26.

The committee also moved separate approvals to authorize tax increment collections and budgets for the Northwest, North Gateway, Downtown and Millrace urban renewal districts. The Northwest URD will receive accelerated debt-service payments under the adopted plan to enable earlier dissolution of that district in 2027 rather than at its previously scheduled date, a change intended to return property tax revenue to other taxing jurisdictions sooner.

The committee approved the city and urban renewal budgets by voice vote and forwarded them to the City Council. The meeting record shows the committee's votes as voice votes; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the public hearing minutes.

Looking ahead, staff flagged several follow-ups for the council and community: continuing state advocacy on pension funding and infrastructure grants, planned capital projects for water and wastewater systems, and ongoing fiscal monitoring of state shared revenues.

The budget committee's approval begins the final steps toward formal council adoption; the forwarded package will appear on the City Council agenda for final action.","The Lebanon Budget Committee approved a $95.7 million fiscal year 2025–26 budget and recommended urban renewal tax authorizations, while keeping the $18 city services fee unchanged for the coming year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lebanon directors flag utility capital needs: $70M wastewater estimate, membrane replacements and infiltration concerns

Lebanon police outline staffing gains, traffic enforcement plans and ongoing jail closure concerns

Lebanon to fund downtown events and visitor services: $30,000 to Downtown Association, $42,000+43,000 to Chamber

Lebanon budget committee approves FY 2025–26 spending plan, advances urban renewal payments