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Jean Stahl hands Autumn Sparks a red chip at the duck pond game at the AWANAs annual carnival held Wednesday evening, May 7 at Community Baptist Church. Children played games, won chips and then cashed in their chips for prizes.

Proposed aquatic center hits snag
by Becky Holloway
To the surprise of everyone involved, it has been learned the City of Tipton can only ask voters for a one-half cent sales tax to finance the construction and maintain a new aquatics center by state law.
City Clerk Jennifer Schmidt reported to the city council Monday evening, May 5 that Larkin Aquatics designed two facilities based on the city being able to make a payment of about $143,000 which would requiresales tax of three quarters of a cent.
“This was a total surprise and a little unbelievable to the committee that only one-half cent could be requested,” said David Bixler, a member of the council-appointed steering committee putting together the proposed new swimming pool. “The committee was very disturbed they (Larkin) were not able to provide that information up front.”
Mrs. Schmidt said the contract can be terminated, however Larkin has billed the city for $4,000 for work done so far. Two designs have been completed, each costing a million dollars.
“I don’t feel we owe them a penny,” said Alderman Joe Lutz who felt like the company had not lived up to expectations which he thought included help with finding financing.
The steering committee was to meet Tuesday evening, May 6 and consider its options before returning to the council at next month’s meeting.
In other business, Alderman Mike Kelley asked the council to consider investigating procedures for annexing land south of Tipton’s current city limits. He said the city must be proactive and be ready for the relocation of Highway 50 if it is to benefit from potential sales tax revenue generated by businesses that will likely locate along an interchange there. Although it was suggested any designation of a new highway’s location will likely be 10 years out, City attorney Ralph Gaw will review the annexation laws.
The council accepted an audit proposal from Gerding, Korte & Chitwood, P.C., Boonville, for three years. Audits will be performed for $9,000 the first year, $9,450 the second, and $9,950 the third.
Support of the history book being published by Historic Tipton in the amount of $500 was approved.

Council makes budget amendments
by Becky Holloway
The Tipton City Council amended the 2007-08 budget to the tune of $273,000 during its meeting Monday evening, May 5.
The amendments will allow the city to pay bills as they are presented in a timely manner, but project overspending of revenues for the year.
The city will be reimbursed $150,000 from the State Revolving Fund for work done by Spray Com in the current sewer project, City Clerk Jennifer Schmidt estimates the city will still overspend its budget by almost $100,000 if revenues continue as projected.
Also during the meeting the council approved a donation of $2,500 to the Tipton Nutrition Center with a 3-1 vote. Alderman Joe Lutz voted against the move which was deemed illegal by the city’s attorney, Ralph Gaw. Assistance was requested by the Nutrition Center Board during last month’s meeting, however neither Gaw nor the Nutrition Center administrators could find avenues the city could use to legally make the donation to a private entity.
The council voted to purchase a submersible pump from Industrial Electric & Controls for the wastewater treatment plant for $11,245. Two more pumps will be needed next year.
In other business:
•The council voted to approve by letter a Sunday liquor license requested by David Mortenson of the Beverage Hut, and a patio liquor license requested by Karen Lawson of Karen’s Place.
•Susan Kriegshauser reported on the patio planned for the lawn of Price James Library using funds donated in memory of her mother, Carol Prestage, who served on the Price James Board many years.

Board to preview budget, fill positions
The Tipton R-VI School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, May 14 at the administration building starting at 7 p.m. The meeting was moved from its original date of Monday, May 12 due to two board members attending the state golf tournament. The meeting is open to the public.
Under new business, the board plans to preview the 2008-09 budget, let bids for contracted computer services for next year, and accept letters of resignation.
Under the consent agenda, the board plans to let bids for liquid propane gas, diesel fuel, bread and milk to be opened in July, approve changes to the extra duty assignment list, approve summer school teachers, and let bids for computers and maintenance to be opened in June. The board also plans to hire Kasey Wirsig as vocal music teacher for the coming school year, hire a school bus mechanic and director of transportation, and approve the banking bid.
The board will also have a closed meeting to address personnel matters concering hiring, firing or promoting employees.

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