Mt. Lebanon’s annual operating budget pays for all of the operating expenses it takes to run the municipality for a year. The municipality’s capital improvement program (CIP) targets larger, one-time expenses, or programs that take more than a year to complete. In household terms, the operating budget pays for the groceries, and the CIP pays for the car.
A capital item is one that meets any one or more of the following criteria:
A project with a tangible result that will take more than a year to complete.
Any nonrecurring — less frequently than five years — purchase which costs more than approximately $100,000. This applies to both new and replacement equipment.
A project which will increase the value of land or buildings substantially.
Other items at the discretion of the municipal manager, with the concurrence of the finance director.
The CIP covers a five-year planning horizon but is published each year to reflect the community’s changing needs. This plan includes 39 new or continuation projects for infrastructure, facility or equipment that have a gross cost of $157,723,910 over the five-year period. A number of the projects would be funded in whole or in part by grants, user fees and contributions. The net tax cost for the program totals $61,888,190. Each project must be approved for funding by the Commission.
The 2026 program includes 23 projects. Major projects for 2026 are:
$4.87 million for mandated improvements to the sanitary sewer system, to be paid for by the municipality’s sewer utilities fund
$2,960,000 for street reconstruction, of which $625,000 will come from the sewer utility fund
$1,788,250 for the installation of new lighting at Middle and Clint Seymour fields
$1,710,000 for Phase II of the Sunset Hills Park project. Phase II improvements include recommendations from the Parks Master Plan for a multipurpose court for basketball, more playground equipment and additional parking.
$1,540,000 for revitalization of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library, of which $750,000 will be funded by a grant. This is the first of a three-phase project and will consist of upgrades to the upper level, including new restrooms, flooring, more access to courtyard, staff office reorganization, lighting updates and HVAC modifications.
Also proposed for 2026:
Economic Development
$374,750 for Activate Uptown Enhancements to Clocktower Plaza and the stairs leading to the T stop, including installation of sunshades, wayfinding signage, projection art, seat wall mosaics, accent lighting, bike runnel installation and decorative handrails.
Recreation
$240,000 for replacement of fencing around the racket center
$178,200 for Installation of senior/forward tees on holes 4, 7 and 8. Work will include the creation of forward tee boxes for seniors including grading, sod, laser grading and irrigation.
$89,900 for new bleacher railing at the ice rink
Public Works
$1,076,000 for scheduled equipment replacement. Replacing two dump trucks, a backhoe, a wood chipper, a signal bucket truck and a parking truck. Cost is offset by $45,000 in equipment sales.
$456,440 for the Cedar Boulevard parking lot. Adding parking spaces toward Vee Lynn Drive to accommodate an additional 58 vehicles with paved parking. The project may also include the enhancement of a rain garden as an environmentally friendly method to help control stormwater runoff from the site. This project will be coordinated with the Clint Seymour Field lighting and the Middle and Seymour fields turf and fence replacement projects.
Public Safety
$195,000 for a new fire safety training trailer, replacing a 20-year-old trailer. Funded by a grant.
$115,000 for rescue tool replacement In 2026 the department’s hydraulic rescue tools (spreaders, cutter, rams and combination tools) will be 20 years old. With developments in the automotive industry, the current tools are not compatible with the latest vehicle technology. Battery powered rescue tools are the industry standard. Electric tools provide lighter and more flexible operation with reduced maintenance needs.
Parking
$335,000 for the last phase of the North Garage elevator upgrade. Paid for from the parking fund.
$300,000 for repairs to the South Garage. Paid for by the parking fund.