Lebanon council moves to advance resolution proposing four staff reductions to curb budget shortfall

The Lebanon City Council on April 6 advanced a resolution recommending targeted staff reductions to reduce budgetary expenses, sending the measure to next week’s council meeting for formal action.

The resolution, as presented by the chair (S3), proposes eliminating two full‑time positions in the streets department and removing one full‑time and one part‑time position in the water and sewer department. Councilmember S8 restated the staffing counts during discussion: “two full time street people, but it’s one full time water sewer and one part time water sewer.”

Supporters said the measure is part of a broader effort to bring operating costs in line with revenue forecasts. S5 said earlier in budget discussion that small line items and the distribution of funds “rings true” for spreading costs across departments while others noted hard choices remain. Opponents and at least one public commenter pressed for clarity on whether eliminating positions would be offset by a later hire to fill administrative roles: resident Debbie (S4) asked, “How many people are you getting rid of?” and raised concern about replacing cuts with the cost of a new city administrator.

Council members stressed the item would move forward with a recommendation for full council consideration rather than be decided at the meeting. No final vote or formal count was recorded in the provided transcript; the chair instructed staff to include the ordinance and resolution on next week’s agenda for a vote. The council also discussed related changes to code enforcement duties and the building inspector position elsewhere on the agenda, noting those duties would be redistributed if the inspector role is removed.

Next steps: The resolution will be placed on the council agenda next week for possible adoption, with staff expected to supply implementation details and cost impacts before any final action.