Tipton City approves $3.83 million in claims, adopts 2025 golf fees and secures $1.5 million INDOT grant; council reviews parks and ordinances

The Tipton City Council on March 1 approved claims of $3,832,505.25, adopted a resolution setting 2025 golf-course fees and accepted a $1.5 million Community Crossings grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to advance street and stormwater work on the city’s east side.

The council’s action on routine business included approval of minutes from the Feb. 24 meeting, adoption of Resolution 2025-02 to set golf-course fees for 2025, adoption of Resolution 2025-03 listing old outstanding checks, and approval of claims numbered 178767 through 178864 totaling $3,832,505.25. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that carried.

The INDOT Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) award, described by city staff as the city’s largest CCMG project, is intended to address drainage and stormwater on East Street and nearby blocks. City staff said the work will begin with an outlet to the creek and may proceed in two or three phases moving north; the item was described as a continuation of similar work on West Street. Officials told the council that locating and protecting intersecting utilities—water mains, sewer lines and gas lines—has slowed progress on the West Street work but that crews have made steady progress.

Parks and cemetery updates: Council members reported the new park board has met and set priorities, that a firm assembling playground equipment moved its delivery up because of weather, and that there is local interest in returning some baseball practice space to use. The cemetery board’s report, included in the council packet, showed six lots sold for a total of $4,200 and listed recent interment activity in its written report.

Ordinances and code enforcement: The council noted that the ordinance committee is reviewing rules on golf carts and the city’s truck ordinance; a separate request about allowing backyard chickens has been referred to that committee and will be considered as it develops recommended language. Council members and staff also discussed enforcement of the city noise ordinance related to engine/compression braking; staff said an audit of the city’s four gateways found signage was missing and that new signs will be ordered. The council said placement of signs on state highways will require a permit from the state transportation agency.

Other administrative items: City staff reported receiving a 2025 CCMG grant (noted above) and a separate CCMG/NDOT-style award referenced in the meeting packet; the street department said it will soon install new stop signs downtown and begin work to repair intersection approaches and bump-outs. The utility board reported that the West Street project is underway and that the water tower still awaits sandblasting and painting pending weather conditions.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes, Feb. 24 — Approved (motion and second; voice vote). - Resolution 2025-02 (adopt 2025 golf-course fees) — Approved (motion and second; voice vote). - Resolution 2025-03 (list of old outstanding checks) — Approved (motion and second; voice vote). - Claims 178767–178864, $3,832,505.25 — Approved (motion and second; voice vote). - Motion to adjourn — Approved (voice vote).

The council discussed potential budget pressures from state-level changes to property and income tax rules and said city department heads are already reviewing departmental communications and service contracts to look for savings. Council members also discussed efforts to attract residents as a longer-term revenue strategy. The council took no formal action on backyard chickens, baseball-field placement or the golf-cart rules at the meeting; those items remain with the ordinance committee or are in active staff review.