City of Lebanon staff demonstrated the new Tyler Civic Access online portal at the Dec. 1 council meeting, showing residents how to create accounts, apply for permits, and locate invoices for online payment.

Melissa (city staff) walked the council and public through the portal interface and registration flow: create an account with contact information and a password, verify your email with a code, and optionally set up an authenticator app for additional security. The portal will list permitting and licensing options (building permits, fire notifications, excavation permits, fire alarm permits, construction permits, food-service permits and green-waste-card renewals) and will display any unpaid invoices for users who have accounts; non-account users may pay with an invoice number.

Melissa said some residents already receive invoices via the portal and the administration plans to post the portal link and the step-by-step presentation on the city website. She said the city will also send a letter to rental property owners explaining the new software and fee process.

Residents asked whether plans can be uploaded; staff replied the current portal setup does not support plan upload and that it is intended for simpler permit applications currently in place. Staff confirmed a direct URL will be available to bookmark, and said residents could still mail checks or pay in person to avoid convenience fees.

Mayor Sherry Alcopello and staff explained there will be convenience fees for card payments (proposed via a separate ordinance) and that e-checks are a lower-cost option; staff said the e-check fee is $1.95 while card fees are proposed at 3.75% with a $2.50 minimum. The city will finalize fee language and return the electronic-payment ordinance for further consideration in January.

The portal demonstration concluded with staff and council encouraging residents to create accounts and expect a mailed notice to rental property owners about licensing and billing changes.