Lebanon council declines proposed utility rate increase after multi-hour utilities briefing

City of Lebanon officials presented an extended review of the municipal water, wastewater and stormwater systems at the March 12 City Council meeting and then voted to disapprove a staff-drafted rate resolution for utilities. City staff warned that substantial capital work is coming — including a large wastewater-treatment-plant upgrade that staff estimate will require roughly $30–35 million of work, with the city’s share modeled at about $15.7 million in borrowing — but council members said they did not want to raise rates now while the city pursues state and federal funding.

The presentation from staff — led by Public Works Director Jason (last name not specified), Finance Director Brandon (last name not specified) and City Manager Ron (last name not specified) — walked the council through operational conditions, near-term projects and five-year financial forecasts for each utility fund. Jason said the water treatment plant “has produced 528,220,000 gallons of water” through February and described system-wide needs including 88.7 miles of distribution mains; Brandon presented…