The South Lebanon City Council on Dec. 18 approved multiple emergency measures and advanced a major sewer project estimate during its final meeting of the year.

Council members first adopted Emergency Resolution 2025‑52 to create super blanket purchase orders for fiscal year 2026, after waiving the two‑reading rule. Council members said routine purchases (utilities, regular monthly items) will be handled under the blanket orders, with any purchases over the established threshold returned to council.

The council also approved Emergency Resolution 2025‑53, authorizing the mayor or director of finance to execute an agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission for the Zohr Road Stabilization Project. The mayor and finance staff confirmed the resolution enables the city to move forward on an OPWC funding agreement for the road work.

On land use, council adopted Emergency Ordinance 2025‑29 approving a zoning map amendment to complete the annexation at 5274 Zor Road. One council member said she has long been wary of R‑3 zoning because of its variability but noted the developer had represented the site would be used for single‑family homes.

Council also adopted Emergency Ordinance 2025‑30, which authorizes the code enforcement officer to enforce zoning regulations. Members raised concerns about enforcement effects on elderly or disabled residents; city staff and the mayor described an emphasis on compliance and safety rather than punitive action, citing staff training and staged enforcement procedures.

In project financing and capital planning, council approved an estimate of $10,400,000 for the River Corridor public sanitary sewer extension. Staff noted the engineer’s estimate is about $9,000,000 and that the city has an interest‑free loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency available to support the project; speakers also noted environmental constraints such as protected brown bats that could affect construction timing and methods.

Other routine items approved included payment of city invoices, the November financial statements, the law director’s invoice and the minutes of the Dec. 4, 2025 meeting. All formal motions recorded in the meeting were passed by unanimous roll‑call votes.

Votes at a glance:
- Emergency Resolution 2025‑52 (blanket purchase orders, FY2026): Motion to waive two readings — moved by Linda Allen, second Sharon Carmack; adoption by title — moved by Brenda Combs, second Sharon Carmack. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Emergency Resolution 2025‑53 (OPWC agreement, Zohr Road Stabilization): Waive two readings — moved by Brenda Combs, second Lisa Feder; adoption by title — moved by Linda Allen, second Lisa Feder. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Emergency Ordinance 2025‑29 (zoning map amendment, annexation at 5274 Zor Road): Waive two readings — moved by Brenda Combs, second Linda Allen; adoption by title — moved by Linda Allen, second Sharon Carmack. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Emergency Ordinance 2025‑30 (authorize code enforcement to enforce zoning): Waive two readings and adopt — motions and seconds recorded; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Estimate approval: $10,400,000 engineer estimate for River Corridor sanitary sewer extension — moved by Brenda Combs; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Invoices, November financials, law director invoice, Dec. 4 minutes: all approved (unanimous).

What happens next: The measures adopted by title and the project estimate allow staff to proceed with contracting steps and grant agreements; specific procurement actions above designated thresholds will return to council for separate approval. The organizational meeting and oath for newly elected members is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026.