Park expenses will soon outweigh revenue

The City of Lebanon and Parks Department are continuing to explore the possibility of going to a sales tax to support parks and stormwater projects. During the Thursday night work session, Finance Director Kat Gill explained how future expenses could outpace revenue at the current property tax levy….

Parks Director John Shelton said one of the challenges that the Parks Department is already facing is the minimum wage increase. Shelton also said they have several needs in the park system.

In addition, Shelton said that some pieces of playground equipment can cost tens of thousands of dollars. If voters were to approve a 1/2 cent sales tax to replace half of the property tax collected for the city, it would generate $1.3 million. Lebanon City Council could vote as early as Monday to determine if the sales tax will go on the August ballot.