Tipp City Council approves $4.25 million bond anticipation notes, budget amendment; authorizes grant application and utility takeover talks

TIPP CITY, Ohio — The Tipp City Council on Monday approved financing measures to support an Uptown land acquisition, amended the 2025 budget, authorized a state grant application for a waterline extension and agreed to pursue an agreement to take over a nearby private water and sewer system.

Ordinance 19-25, approved on second reading, authorizes the issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes in a maximum principal amount of $4,250,000 to pay the cost of acquiring roughly 12.15 acres near the intersection of West Main Street and South Tippecanoe Drive to support economic development. City staff said the notes will be reissued annually until tax increment financing (TIF) bonds are placed once development proceeds; the ordinance also includes an annual $250,000 debt paydown budgeted by the city.

The council also approved Ordinance 20-25, amending 2025 appropriations to authorize repayment of a 2024 advance and issuance of a 2025 advance of funds and to modify the annual operating budget to account for unanticipated events during the fiscal year.

Under resolutions, the council accepted the amounts and tax rates as set by the Miami County Budget Commission for the 2026 tax year (Resolution 27-25). City staff said the accepted rates include the city's 10-mill inside property tax levy and a 1.4-mill levy that generates roughly $580,000 for the city's general fund.

The council authorized the city manager to prepare and submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for state capital or local transportation improvement funds to support a waterline extension along State Route 25 to Curry Branch. Mr. Mack, speaking for staff, said the city is requesting $300,000 and "if awarded, we anticipate this grant to fund roughly about 50% of the total project cost." Mr. Mack said the $600,000 figure discussed is the total project cost; the city's share could be smaller depending on developer contributions. Councilmembers and staff said any grant award and final project authorization would return to council for approval.

On Resolution 29-25 the council authorized staff to move forward with negotiations and an agreement to take over the operation and maintenance of the Country Estates water and sewer system, which staff said serves about 89 residential accounts in the adjacent township. Councilmember Liddy said he views the action as "a good opportunity to be a good neighbor" but added he hopes the city will "move away from the practice of extending water and sewer and utilities without annexation moving forward." Staff responded that further terms will be worked out with the township and that details remain to be finalized.

Council also held the first reading of an ordinance establishing tax increment financing (TIF) authorities and related procedures under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5709; the measure was sponsored and introduced but not voted on. Separately, council approved a motion setting Oct. 20, 2025, as the public hearing date for a rezoning request for 920 West Main Street (Tipp Plaza) from Planned Development to a new Uptown 1 zoning district.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 19-25 (bond anticipation notes up to $4,250,000): approved unanimously; tally recorded by the clerk as Yes by Mayor Rogers, Councilmember Enslow, Councilmember Liddy, Councilmember Pittenger, Councilmember Slagle and President Huffman. - Ordinance 20-25 (2025 appropriations amendment): approved unanimously; same recorded yes votes. - Resolution 27-25 (accept tax rates from Miami County Budget Commission): approved unanimously; same recorded yes votes. - OPWC application resolution (authorize submission for $300,000 request): approved unanimously; same recorded yes votes. - Resolution 29-25 (authorize negotiation to acquire Country Estates water/sewer system): approved unanimously; same recorded yes votes. - Motion setting Oct. 20, 2025 public hearing for rezoning of 920 West Main Street: motion approved.

Council members and staff emphasized that several of these items (the OPWC grant application, any TIF bond issuance, and any takeover agreement for Country Estates) require further steps, negotiations or approvals before they take effect. An Uptown open house to discuss redevelopment concepts and conceptual drawings is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., staff said.

Mayor Rogers and council adjourned the meeting after standard closing remarks.