Lebanon owes schools $3.1M in tax revenue

Underpayments to two districts now being corrected, city says.

Over 20 years, the city underpaid both Lebanon City Schools and Kings Local Schools more than $1.5 million, according to the city.

The city of Lebanon LEBANON — underpaid two local school districts $3.1 million in property taxes collected through taxing districts established to help pay for roads and other improvements in the city’s industrial parks.

Over 20 years, the city underpaid both the Lebanon City Schools and Kings Local Schools more than $1.5 million, according to the city.

“The city is taking steps to distribute this money to each school district,” according to a statement from the city.

“City staff identified potential discrepancies in how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) payments have been distributed to two local school districts, and initiated an extensive independent third-party review of the TIF program to ensure that the payments were allocated properly,” according to the release.

Businesses are to make the payments in lieu of property taxes to the city. The money is used for roads, sewers and other improvements supporting the business developments.

“The underpayments were largely the result of changing tax values over this period, as well as different rates and charges impacting property tax payments,” the release said.

Warren County Auditor Matt Nolan said, “This is an ongoing problem around the state.”

In this case, Nolan, whose office collects property tax in Warren County, said he was unable to confirm the information released.

“The school district and local