CITY OF TIPTON – CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, May 6, 2024

The regular meeting of the Tipton City Council was held at 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 6, 2024 at City Hall.   Those present were Mayor Jarrod Shivers, City Clerk Brigit Gasper, City Superintendent Rod Barker and City Council members – Ben Avery, Michael Ohnsat, Mark Towner, Jessica Krier and Sara Dilley.   

Mayor Jarrod Shivers called the meeting to order.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Minutes from the Monday April 2, 2024 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Brigit reported on utility bills. There were 3 late fees charged, 3 letters sent, and 3 full payments received. 

The sales tax receipt for April was $4155.29, which is down substantially from monthly amounts received over the last year.  Receipts for the City for April were $32,953.49, which includes the $15,000.00 grant for the work on the Community Center from Dane Hansen; disbursements were $17,425.51.    A State Highway tax distribution was received in the amount of $1,210.61 which is added to the City’s street fund.

The General Ledger reports for the month and year-to-date were reviewed in addition to the bills paid for April.  Mark Towner made a motion to pay the bills; Jessica Krier seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Brigit reported that she will be starting the annual budget preparation process and will meet with the reviewer in Beloit on July 17, 2024. 

Todd Brummer started the process to apply for the Dane Hansen Foundation Grant for work on the Community Center and he and Brigit completed the application with information from the City and the Knights of Columbus. A grant was awarded in the amount of $15,000.00 from Dane Hansen Foundation. There will be reporting requirements that will need to be completed as the project proceeds. 

The Quickbooks program used for the City of Tipton payroll is being discontinued.   Brigit has contacted various companies regarding payroll.  The cost of the  upgraded Quickbooks program and other comparable payroll programs is greatly increasing and not reasonable for the number of employees that the City of Tipton has.  She contacted Goheen and Slavik, CPA’s and they will provide a payroll service for much less than the cost of a purchased program.  She will find out what they will need to begin the process.

Scholarship recipients for the Father Norbert Dlabal/City of Tipton Scholarship will receive their scholarship awards at the TCHS graduation on Sunday, May 12. 

Rod reported that he has been working on servicing the oiler truck that was purchased recently to get it ready for street work this summer in addition to keeping mowing and spraying done. 

Mark Towner reported that someone had brought up a suggestion for some flags or banners on Main Street.  Mark said he would check into some options and the cost. He said that there may be some funds available for this project. 

It was reported by Mayor Jarrod Shivers that he had received a letter from Amanda Hawkins, operator of the Lil’ Owl Café, stating that she is terminating her involvement in the Lil’ Owl Café immediately.  The council discussed the letter and will work on future options.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm and the next meeting date is tentatively on Monday June 3, 2024 at 7:30 pm. Updates to the change in meeting date will be posted.

Brigit Gasper

City Clerk