Tippecanoe County Council approves multiple appropriations, grants and personnel actions

The Tippecanoe County Council on April 8 approved the consent agenda and a package of appropriations, grants and personnel actions ranging from a $1.5 million Community Crossings grant match to smaller donations and position changes.

Council members recorded the following actions during the meeting; each motion passed by voice vote and no recorded roll‑call tally was provided in the transcript.

• Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda by voice vote. Motion placed by Councilman Murray and seconded by Councilman Basham; outcome: approved.

• Additional appropriation — 4D commissioner position: The council approved an additional appropriation of $22,562 to move the 4D commissioner position from part‑time to full‑time effective July 1. Motion by Councilman Murray, second by Councilman Carson; outcome: approved.

• Prosecutor user fee fund appropriation: Approved $50,000 for prosecutor professional services and litigation expenses; motion by Councilwoman Dollam, second by Councilman Richard; outcome: approved. Prosecutor explained funds cover outside experts, interpreters and depositions.

• Timah (outdoor warning sirens) appropriation: Approved an appropriation of $40,000 for repair and maintenance of outdoor warning sirens. Motion by Councilwoman Vernon, second by Councilman Murray; outcome: approved.

• Community Corrections donation fund: Approved $5,000 from a United Way grant extension for the New Leaf wellness program (transportation supports, gift cards and participant incentives). Motion by Councilman Murray, second by Councilwoman Vernon; outcome: approved.

• Motor Vehicle Highway fund — legal fees: Approved estimated attorney fees related to land acquisition litigation and Community Crossings grant work. Motion by Councilman Basham, second by Councilman Murray; outcome: approved.

• Community Crossings (match for Ninth Street/Burnett Road project): Approved a grant appropriation of $1,500,000 for the Community Crossings matching fund (Ninth Street corridor work). Motion by Councilman Basham, second by Councilman Murray; outcome: approved.

• Health Department donation fund: Approved $250 for a community baby shower event on May 6 at the county fairgrounds. Motion by Councilman Murray, second by Councilman Carson; outcome: approved.

• STD Prevention Grant fund: Approved $181,768 to support three disease intervention specialists who serve as a district hub and oversee work across multiple counties. Motion by Councilman Murray, second by Councilman Carson; outcome: approved.

• Gateway to Hope counseling fund: Approved $19,000 to support peer‑support certification, naloxone supplies and distribution. Motion by Councilman Murray, second by Councilman Carson; outcome: approved.

• Salary statement — medical assistant position: Approved a personnel change converting a Health First Indiana‑funded nursing position to a medical assistant position (intended to better match candidate availability); motion by Councilman Murray, second by Councilman Carson; outcome: approved. Council noted this replaces an eliminated position rather than increasing overall headcount.

• Sheriff — firearms transaction appropriation: Approved $450 appropriation tied to the administrative process for retired officers purchasing firearms at fair market value as part of an ordinance implementation; motion by Councilwoman Vernon, second by Councilman Murray; outcome: approved.

• Auditor — Drug Free Community fund appropriation: The auditor requested an appropriation described in the meeting transcript with a value that could not be clearly parsed from the record; council approved the appropriation by voice vote. Motion by Councilman Basham, second by Councilman Carson; outcome: approved; amount: not specified in transcript.