The Tipton City Common Council voted to approve payout of remaining vacation and comp time for police department employees, citing staffing shortages and new hires in training.

Councilor Speaker 3 moved “to approve the remaining vacation and comp days as outlined in the time payoff sheet from the police chief,” and Speaker 2 seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. Council referenced a total payout figure of $9,846.15 and confirmed payouts are calculated at 2025 pay rates.

The decision followed a detailed presentation from Speaker 4, who described recent staffing gaps and training timelines: two new officers will begin academy training on Jan. 5 and are expected to be out of training April 24, limiting their ability to take vacation while in training. Speaker 4 also said some day‑shift positions have operated with a skeleton crew and that transfers exist in the police budget to cover the payout.

Debate focused less on the payout mechanics and more on policy and oversight. Speaker 3 said, “we can't keep making ordinances and then paying out when that wasn't the intent of a new vacation policy,” arguing the board of works should monitor PTO balances and scheduling to prevent recurring buyouts. Finance staff (Speaker 6) said holiday and comp hours were paid in the last payroll and that budget transfers have been prepared so money exists in the 2025 budget to cover payouts.

Councilors discussed alternatives such as paying holiday hours when employees actually work them (as an incentive) rather than allowing hours to accumulate for later payout. Several speakers noted the practical limits created by training schedules and the requirement that certain training officers remain on duty during others’ absences.

Council did not adopt a suspension of the ordinance in this meeting; the motion approved only the specific payout request presented on the police chief’s payoff sheet. Council members said they expect the Board of Works to provide periodic PTO reports to improve scheduling and budgeting.

The council adjourned after completing the agenda and other year‑end transfers.