Tipp City Council removes proposed term‑limit exhibit, approves remaining charter amendments as emergency

TIPP CITY — The Tipp City Council on Monday agreed to strip a proposed term‑limits provision from a slate of charter amendments and approved the remaining measures under an emergency clause to meet a ballot deadline.

President Huffman opened a discussion of a six‑item package the charter review committee recommended earlier in 2024. City staff recommended removing Exhibit A after a legal review raised concerns about how sections 401 and 408 of the charter interact for appointees who would be required to run in the next two‑year election cycle. "When you read 401 in conjunction with 408 ... there’s a numerical problem" that could force an appointee into an impractical petition timeline, counsel explained.

Councilmember Kessler moved to remove Exhibit A from the ordinance. The council then voted to adopt the amendment removing Exhibit A and proceeded to approve the remaining charter changes with an emergency clause. City staff said the emergency provision was necessary "because it has to be passed tonight in order to make the August deadline." The ordinance was passed on roll call as emergency legislation so the other proposed amendments can appear on this fall’s ballot.

Councilmembers noted the charter review committee met several times in 2024 and that residents will have the final say at the polls in November. Officials emphasized that Exhibit A was removed so the specific term‑limits language can be studied and harmonized with existing charter language before being brought back for consideration.

What happens next: The amendments approved as emergency legislation will be submitted to the board of elections for placement on the fall ballot; the removed term‑limits exhibit may be revised and reintroduced at a future meeting for further review and possible placement on a later ballot.