Council allocates $25,000 from park impact fees to buy half‑mile of Midland Trace Trail corridor

The Lebanon City Council on May 27 approved Resolution 2025‑16 to appropriate $25,000 from Fund 4403 (park impact fees) to purchase about a half mile of the Midland Trace Trail corridor from US Railroad Vests Corporation.

Derek Warren, a city staff member who presented the item, told the council the city had “the opportunity to buy another half mile of the Midland Trace Trail” — roughly 2.4 acres — and that the asking price matched a previous purchase price per acre. Warren said his estimate included a proposed purchase price of $17,420, an appraisal allowance of about $2,700, commissions of $2,000 and closing costs not to exceed $3,000; he requested a not‑to‑exceed allocation of $26,000 to ensure the city could close the transaction.

Warren described the trail corridor’s regional role: the Midland Trace connects toward Westfield and Noblesville and will likely be routed into the downtown square via East Washington Street as the city studies the corridor further. During the discussion a councilmember asked whether the advertised appropriation had been $25,000; Warren confirmed the notice and referenced an April 25 message. Warren also clarified the corridor alignment avoided routing the trail through Oak Hill Cemetery.

The council opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. The council then considered Resolution 2025‑16, which the clerk read aloud. A councilmember moved to pass the resolution and a second followed. The council approved the appropriation by voice vote; the motion carried and the resolution will transfer $25,000 from Fund 4403 to support the property purchase.

Warren said staff’s earlier planning estimated the land would allow the city to extend the Midland Trace closer to town and to later study the western alignment. The approved appropriation funds the acquisition; additional design, routing and construction decisions will require subsequent study and approvals.