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Lebanon council advances 2026 budget items, approves refuse contract and utility rate adjustments
Summary
Council moved the 2026 budget for first reading, approved a five‑year refuse/recycling contract with Rumpke, adopted a set of rate adjustments (2% water and sewer increases and refuse rate changes) and passed a three‑year labor agreement; council also authorized a brownfield grant application and introduced the Ray Rock rezoning ordinance for first reading.
Lebanon — After a lengthy public hearing on the Ray Rock Farms rezoning, the Lebanon City Council turned to regular business and acted on several fiscal and operational items on its Nov. 25 agenda.
Council took a procedural step on the 2026 operating budget by moving Ordinance 2025‑105 for first reading; staff told the council the packet incorporates total revenues of $133,900,000 and total expenditures of $137,200,000 for the 2026 operating budget. "This ordinance will approve the February operating budget, which includes total revenues of $133,900,000 and total expenditures of 137,200,000.0," a staff presenter said during the meeting.
The council adopted Ordinance 2025‑110, approving a five‑year contract with Rumpke of Ohio for citywide refuse and recycling collection. Council also adopted Ordinance 2025‑111 to adjust garbage and rubbish collection rates to reflect the competitively bid contract; staff said the sanitation fund is expected to operate at a deficit in 2026 and 2027 while a healthy fund balance smooths the increases to customers.
On utilities, council voted to authorize two rate adjustments incorporated into the 2026 operating budget: Ordinance 2025‑112 implements a 2% water rate increase and Ordinance 2025‑113 implements a 2% sanitary sewer rate increase, both described as consistent with the city’s updated 2021 water and sewer rate study.
Council also approved Ordinance 2025‑117, a three‑year labor agreement with IAF Local 4796, and adopted amendments to a Parkside TIF and financing arrangement (Ordinances 2025‑118 and 2025‑119) related to State Route 63 widening. The council approved Resolution 2025‑120 authorizing a Brownfield Remediation Program grant application to support redevelopment of 120 South Broadway Avenue; staff estimated the grant request will be in the $300,000–$500,000 range.
Why it matters: The refuse contract and rate adjustments will affect city services and household bills; the budget first reading frames the city’s financial plan for 2026; the brownfield grant could underwrite remediation and redevelopment at a downtown site. Several council members noted the city has been assessing intersections and pursuing grant funding for roadway improvements to address recurring traffic safety issues highlighted by residents during the earlier hearing.
What happened next: The rezoning ordinance for Ray Rock (2025‑116) was introduced for first reading later in the meeting; that ordinance will return for additional readings and final action at a subsequent meeting. The meeting ended with a vote to enter executive session to discuss property and pending litigation matters.
Details from the record: Multiple ordinances were moved and adopted by roll call in the council chamber (Rumpke contract; refuse/rubbish rate adjustment; 2% water and sewer increases; labor agreement; TIF/financing amendments), and staff committed to publish rate changes and schedule further public briefings on engineering design for the Ray Rock project when preliminary plans are available.
