Tipton Utility board adopts employee training payback policy

The Tipton Utility Service Board on Sept. 2 approved Resolution 2025-05, a policy requiring employees who leave after the utility funded their training to repay part of the cost on a prorated schedule.

The resolution, presented by a staff member during the meeting, sets repayment at 100% if an employee leaves within the first year, 50% after the first year, 25% after the second year and 0% for departures after 36 months. The policy includes a cap for third‑party vendor training invoices; if training costs exceed $5,000 the employee repayment is limited to $5,002.05, as discussed at the meeting.

The board’s action formalizes a policy the utility said is intended to protect its investment when it pays for apprenticeships, operator licenses, CDL training or other certifications. The staff member said the resolution is prorated and was drafted after internal review and board comments.

Votes at a glance: the board approved minutes from the previous meeting and a claims batch totaling $405,300.99, and then approved Resolution 2025-05. All three motions were carried by voice vote; the transcript records “aye” for the motions and shows no recorded opposition, but numerical tallies were not specified in the meeting record.

The board did not attach further conditions to the resolution during the meeting. The staff member said the resolution reflects comments received in prior drafts and that the payback amount would be documented in writing for covered trainings.

The board moved on to other items after the vote; no additional amendments to Resolution 2025-05 were recorded.