Lebanon City Redevelopment Commission members voted to adopt a 2026 spending plan on a voice vote after a presentation by commission staff and consultant Baker Tilly.

Ben Bontrager, who presented the plan, told commissioners the spending plan is a new statutory requirement that must be submitted to the DLGF and functions as an umbrella of category caps rather than a revenue-based operating budget. He said the proposed plan lists debt service at about $7,700,000, keeps bond-proceeds similar to last year and reduces the capital expenditures line from $20,000,000 to $10,000,000 to provide flexibility while removing an outsized placeholder.

"We decreased the capital expenditures line from 20 to 10," Bontrager said. He noted the commission is not obligated to spend the full amount and can return to amend the plan and resubmit to the DLGF if a category cap needs to be exceeded.

Bontrager summarized 2025 activity and balances: professional expenses originally authorized at $840,000 are currently about $425,000 spent; the commission recorded $43,040,000 this year as its contribution to a lift station for the business park; and the proposed grants and contributions line has been doubled to leave room for programs that are still being developed. Bontrager said the education and training allocation primarily covers the Lebanon Schools' workforce coordinator.

Commissioner Dr. Taylor urged caution about later-years revenue impacts, saying recent discussion around Senate enrollment Act 1 (referred to in the meeting as SEA 1) raised concerns about tax cuts and pressure on local revenues. "I am worried about 27," Dr. Taylor said, urging the commission to preserve flexibility and consider tightening giveaways if needed. Bontrager responded that Baker Tilly's projections show limited impact for next year and that, as structured, existing TIF districts with existing debt are exempt from SEA 1 changes, which moderates near-term exposure.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about changing the plan; Bontrager and clerk/treasurer staff explained that amending any capped category requires bringing a revised spreadsheet back to a regular meeting, approving it, and resubmitting to the DLGF.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the 2026 spending plan "as presented" was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The commission also approved a separate motion to pay claims and then adjourned the meeting.

The plan will be submitted to the DLGF as required. Bontrager and the mayor, who participated in plan discussions, indicated they will monitor revenue forecasts and return with any amendments if circumstances change.