TIPTON — Tipton County officials are on different sides of the debate on how Economic Development Income Tax funds should be appropriated for projects outlined in the county’s new Capital Improvements Plan.
The county commissioners recently submitted a three-year plan that provides funding for specific projects.
The Tipton County Council was supposed to have a public hearing last week to appropriate $520,456 in EDIT funds, but because the hearing was not advertised, council members only discussed the process.
John Brooke, Tipton County attorney, said the commissioners adopted a new format for the plan, removing old projects and transferring others to the new plan.
He said the county council reviews the plan and then appropriates the EDIT fund.
“With no plan, no appropriation can be made,” Brooke said. “Without a plan, no project can go forward.”
Brooke said the commissioners can amend the plan to add or delete projects during the year.
He said if more money is needed, the county council has to be asked to approve an additional appropriation. Brooke said the commissioners can move funds around by amending the plan, which doesn’t require council approval.
Councilman Brad Nichols asked how the Capital Improvement Plan was developed.
Brooke said it was done in a work session, adding the commissioners can seek public input.
Councilwoman Beth Roach said in some counties the plan is approved by the council and then funds are appropriated as needed.
Brooke said in counties where he has been involved, the money is allocated when the plan is adopted.
Last month, council members indicated they wanted more involvement in the spending of EDIT funds, particularly after the commissioners transferred funds from the courthouse restoration project to pay salaries.
The council wants to keep the commissioners from transferring money in the plan without approval, according to Nichols.
One the council’s main concerns is funding for the economic development department since the city of Tipton has not renewed a contract with the county.
Tipton provided $65,000 per year and the county appropriated $50,000 for the joint venture.
The city’s contract with the county expired in December and Mayor Dan Delph said he won’t renew the agreement unless the contract for Gayle Van Sessen, director of economic development, is not renewed.
The commissioners have included $85,000 in the Capital Improvement Plan to pay Van Sessen’s salary for the remainder of the year.
In mid-March there will be no funds to pay Van Sessen’s salary unless the plan is adopted by the council, along with an appropriation.