The Lebanon City Council on July 23 adopted an amendment to Lebanon Municipal Code section 3.24 to clarify how the city services fee is applied to undeveloped properties.

The amendment, filed as bill 2025-06 and ordinance number 3037, updates the ordinance language so the fee resolution and the municipal code match. The change expands the ordinance language from applying to “developed properties” to addressing “properties across the city,” the finance director told the council during the public hearing. “We are bringing this forward because there was some discrepancies between what was included in the resolution that was ultimately adopted and the the original ordinance that was adopted back in November 2024,” the finance director said.

The ordinance amendment does not change the fee rates listed in the council materials. The finance director explained how the city determines a fee for vacant or undeveloped parcels: staff examine the zoning, what similar properties are charged, and potential future use to estimate a fee. As examples provided during the hearing, single-family–zoned parcels are billed at the $18 monthly rate used for single-family residences; properties likely to be multifamily would be assigned the higher $45 monthly multifamily rate; and commercial parcels are evaluated by likely building size and potential meter size.

Council discussion was limited; no public testimony was offered during the hearing. Councilor Mann moved to approve the ordinance as presented; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The mayor called for “Aye,” and the clerk recorded the motion as passed.

The finance director also said the practical effect of the amendment is to ensure that the administrative direction in the adopted resolution—under which the finance director or a designee evaluates undeveloped parcels—is reflected in the codified ordinance text. The council closed the public hearing and approved the amending ordinance in a single motion.

What changed and why it matters: The amendment aligns the municipal code with the previously adopted resolution so staff have consistent authority and direction when assigning the city services fee to vacant and undeveloped parcels. The ordinance clarifies that the fee will be estimated based on zoning, likely use, and comparable properties rather than on an actual existing unit count for vacant sites.

Next steps: The ordinance was adopted at the July 23 meeting and will be included in the city’s codified municipal code. Staff did not announce additional implementation steps during the hearing.