The Lebanon City Council at its meeting Monday night gave first reading approval to increased water and electric rates as well as a new board to oversee city utilities.
The changes will take effect if second readings are passed at a future council meeting.
Lebanon Public Works Director Richard Shockley said water and electric increases were needed to cover rising expenses.
“Inflation on most all operational costs, for both water and electric utilities, has increased significantly creating inadequate revenue to cover operational expenses,” he said in a note to the council. “Without increased revenue both utilities will deplete cash reserves below requirements by city code or cut operational costs impacting proper maintenance and operation of the systems. This in turn will negatively affect delivery of reliable utility service to citizens and businesses.”
For more on this story see Wednesday's LCR.
