Lebanon sets 2025 ad valorem levies; general rate falls as assessed values rise

The Lebanon City Council on Aug. 11 approved the city’s 2025 ad valorem tax levies, setting the general fund, parks and downtown business district rates ahead of the December tax bills. Lacey, a city staff member, told the council the proposed general fund rate would drop to 0.2479 from last year’s 0.2595 while assessed valuations increased, producing about $28,000 in additional general‑fund revenue; the downtown levy fell from 0.6888 to 0.6589, yielding roughly $1,000 more because of valuation changes. "Each year, council is required to set the tax levy for the property personal property for the taxes in real estate that are gonna be put on the tax bill for December 31," Lacey said. "This year, it's actually going down a little bit." The council held a public hearing before taking first- and second‑reading votes on the ordinances authorizing the levies. On second reading, the council approved the ordinance authorizing the 2025 general fund and parks ad valorem levies in a roll-call vote. The ordinance language presented to the council described the levies, their purpose and effective date and authorized collection. The parks levy was set at zero for direct levy because parks operations are funded by a one-half cent stormwater and parks sales tax, Lacey said. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. The council carried the matter through the standard two‑reading procedure and voted in favor on both readings. The council also approved the Special Business/Downtown District ad valorem tax levy after public hearing and two readings. Council members who participated in the roll-call approvals included Atkins, Evans, Mitchell, Mizell, Mechler, Jordan and Garner. The council did not alter the levy rates after the hearing. Moving forward, the city will include the approved levies on the December property tax bills and continue coordination with the county collector and the state auditor’s office as required.