By Jon Gambrell
Enquirer contributor

LEBANON - President Bush's advice aside, there will be no funding next year to repave the city's potholed streets.

Showcasing the five-year capital improvement plan at Tuesday's city council meeting, officials said building up cash reserves took precedence over repaving.

"I'm somewhat struck by the fact that we have not funded roadway repaving in 2005," said Vice Mayor Norm Dreyer II. "One of the biggest things in our community are the roads we drive on."

The annual plan, which plots spending for large projects, does involve reconstruction for several streets. The city plans to spend more than $10 million on improvements next year, with about $1 million coming from various grants.

During a campaign stop last week in Lebanon, President Bush lightly advised Mayor Amy Brewer to "fill the potholes." The irony was not lost on the council, which argued that with a series of road reconstructions, the city would be getting better streets in the near future.

"The reason we are not funding (repaving) in 2005 is due to the large amount of road reconstruction projects in 2005," said City Manager Pat Clements. However, he said the projected 50 percent shortfall in roadway maintenance funding "raised staff concerns."

By securing grants and watching spending, officials have wanted to build cash reserves to cover the six-month operating costs mandated by law, roughly $2.2 million. Currently, Lebanon has $1.76 million, after a 2000 low of about $574,000.

While the plan allows for no major facility upgrades or construction in the next five years, $25,000 was set aside to study the feasibility of a new court and police facility. The $10 million budget for next year also calls for $3.5 million to upgrade the city's electrical system and just over $1 million for improving the telecommunication department.

In other action, council approved plans to upgrade the storm water system along Oakwood Avenue in a 7-0 vote.

The city spent an extra $5,300to reroute the storm water system to preserve old sycamore trees in front of Berry Middle School, said City Councilman Ben Cole.