LEBANON — The city may ask voters this November if they'll help pay for combined city/school recreation facilities.

        Council toyed Wednesday night with seeking a May levy, but it would need to commit to the levy by Feb. 22. That's just three weeks after city and school leaders broached the idea.

        “It's very difficult to make a decision ... with no data,” Councilman Mark Flick said Thursday.

LAND VOTE DELAYED

City Manager James Patrick has asked City Council not to vote Tuesday on whether to buy 130 acres on Ohio 741 for wells and industrial use. Water tests are taking longer than expected, he said. Council's next meeting is Feb. 27, a day before the city's proposed contract for the land will expire.

        The possibility of sharing gyms and a theater came up last week as Lebanon City Schools worked to finish plans for a $50 million bond issue in May.

        The recreation areas would be part of a new high school. Students would use them until 4:30 p.m. or so, and the community would have access at night, City Manager James Patrick has said.

        The proposal is still very much alive, Mr. Flick said, but the city wants to take its time developing it.

        Also, rising fuel costs and economic uncertainty make this a bad time to ask for a tax increase, Mayor James Mills said Wednesday night.

        “It's not going to happen, folks. Be real,” Mr. Mills said. “I think it's bad timing.”

        The school district will go ahead with its bond issue, Mr. Sears said. Designs for the high school are not final, and joint recreation space could still be arranged after a November vote on a city bond, he said.

        “We both agree it would be best to take our time and develop a plan that will benefit both the schools and the city,” Mr. Sears said.

        Most council members remain supportive of the concept.

        “We're not competing with the YMCA, and we're providing the services all the surveys of residents have said they want,” Councilman James Reinhard said.

       Jennifer Mrozowski contributed to this report.
       
       

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