Taxes to fund capital improvements mulled

Income tax that funded Tipp City’s previous plan will expire soon.

TIPP CITY — Tipp City Council members are considering a capital improvement program of more than $30 million for 20212032 and a request for city residents to again approve a tax to pay for the program.

The capital improvement program was recommended earlier this year by a volunteer Citizens Capital Improvement Plan committee and was outlined in midMarch for the council by City Manager Tim Eggleston.

Among proposed projects are buying ambulances, fire vehicles and police cruisers along with street paving, a railroad quiet zone effort, interchange beautification improvements and a $3.3 million pedestrian bridge over Interstate 75. The bridge would connect residential areas to the west to the area near Tippecanoe High School on the east.

Nearly a decade ago, city voters approved a 10-year capital improvement program and income taxes totaling 0.50% to pay for it, but those taxes are expiring.

Council is deciding whether to place a new tax request before voters as early as this fall.

An income tax, property tax or a combination could be proposed.

The proposed 10-year program carries a price tag of nearly $32

million, or around $2.65 million a year, according to figures given to council.

A 0.50% income tax would generate $2.65 million a year while a 9.5-mill property tax would be needed to generate the same amount.

The council will need to develop a firm rationale for asking voters to again approve dollars for a capital improvements program, said Mayor Joe Gibson.

“The last time, there was a sense of urgency because of conditions of the roads and the need for new fire equipment,’ Gibson said. Residents who have heard discussions about the current proposal have asked about items in the plan such as the pedestrian bridge, items seen as “more of a luxury” versus conditions of streets, he said.

“The sense of urgency is we want to be able to do these projects, and maintain the quality of life we have. You can remove some things, but others are needed,” said Council President Katie Berbach.

Major street issues were addressed during the last decade, but others still need work, Eggleston said. In addition, “you can do certain things to enhance your community,” he said.

City staff can pursue grants for projects such as a pedestrian bridge to help offset the local cost. If the grant doesn’t come through, council may choose to focus on other projects, he said.

The proposed project list is a guideline with no guarantee each item will be done. “Just because it is in there, doesn’t mean council will have to fund it at the end of the day,” Eggleston said.

Council members will change, which also can affect which projects move forward, Berbach said.

Council member Kathryn Huffman, who joined council in January, said she didn’t like the idea of approving a tax and then picking and choosing how money would be spent. She suggested council narrow the request scope and “ask for what we are going to use and what we need.”

Eggleston said the proposal can be changed, but action would be needed in July on any ballot proposal to meet the early August filing deadline with the Miami County Board of Elections.