The City of Lebanon council on Dec. 1 adopted the 2026 tax levy with no increase and approved higher annual residential rental-license fees as part of the 2026 budget. Both measures passed by unanimous roll call.

Mayor Sherry Alcopello told the council the city’s current millage rate remains 4.581 mills and the administration is proposing no tax increase “for the eleventh consecutive year.” The mayor said the average assessed property value is $104,636, which results in an average annual tax bill of about $479.

Council then voted on Bill No. 22 (2026 tax levy) on final reading. A motion to adopt was made and seconded, and the clerk recorded a 5–0 roll-call vote in favor; the measure was adopted on final reading.

On the same agenda, council adopted Bill No. 23, which amends subsection 1907.05 (residential rental licensing and inspections) to increase annual license fees. Mayor Alcopello said the fee changes are part of the 2026 budget and intended to cover enforcement and program costs, staff and operations, and to support a registry of rental properties. The ordinance changes the rental-license fee from $40 to $60 and raises a rooming-house unit fee from $20 to $30. Invoices will be issued earlier in the year (rather than staggered by ward); property owners will have 30 days to pay and a $25 penalty applies after 60 days. Council approved Bill No. 23 on final reading by a 5–0 roll-call vote.

Council also moved Bill No. 24 on introduction, a measure to establish fees for electronic payments to the city. Mayor Alcopello said the proposed charges mirror those the Lebanon Authority uses: credit and debit card payments at 3.75% with a $2.50 minimum, a $15 chargeback fee, and a $1.95 flat fee for e-check/ACH payments. The ordinance was moved on introduction and will be revisited at the council’s January meeting.

The mayor and council framed the electronic-payment fees as a convenience charge to cover costs assessed by card processors, and noted residents may still pay by mailed check or in person to avoid the convenience fee. Mayor Alcopello also provided comparisons with nearby jurisdictions (examples cited: Lebanon County and Lancaster City) to show the city’s proposed rates are within the local range.

Votes at a glance:
Bill No. 22 (2026 tax levy) — Motion to adopt (final reading): Adopted, roll call 5–0.
Bill No. 23 (Residential rental-license fee increase) — Motion to adopt (final reading): Adopted, roll call 5–0. Changes include rental-license fee from $40 to $60 and rooming-house unit fee from $20 to $30.
Bill No. 24 (Electronic payment fees) — Moved on introduction; unanimous to move forward for further consideration.

The council recorded no recorded dissent during the roll calls. The mayor said the city will send a letter to rental property owners explaining the fee and software changes and will post the portal and fee information on the city website.