Lebanon City Schools Community Forum 8/3/26

The Lebanon City Schools held a community forum on August 3, 2026, to discuss a proposed 1% earned income tax levy to be placed on the November ballot. The meeting focused on explaining the district's budget shortfall caused primarily by recent property tax reforms and flat state funding, which are projected to create deficits exceeding $8 million by 2030. The board has approved the levy proposal as a means to diversify revenue sources, reduce reliance on property taxes, and provide property tax relief, especially for residents on fixed incomes. The levy would also allow the district to pay off an existing bond early, saving interest costs and eliminating a related property tax millage. The forum included detailed financial forecasts, explanations of the tax's impact, and a discussion of the district's capital improvement plans funded through permanent improvement levies. Questions from the community addressed levy administration costs, alternative funding options such as sales tax, and prior cost-saving measures taken by the district. The administration emphasized transparency and plans for ongoing community education about the levy in the coming months.