The Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the first reading of the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget and maintained the property tax rate at $0.59.
City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the tax rate remains the same from the previous fiscal year. Tindle said the budget ordinance establishes the spending levels for city departments through June 30, 2027.
The board also approved the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend water, sewer and tap fees.
In other business, the board passed rezoning requests for a property on West Bockman Way and another on North Spring Street.
Fire Chief Kirk Young said the fire department has been testing the tornado sirens at the station.
“We’re working with Mike O’Neal to repair those sirens,” Young said. “The repairs they did do to it, those they do work, by the way. And now we know that it’s not just that box. It may be going up the power to the junction, so we’ll reconvene then in a couple of weeks and see how that goes.”
Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city is currently facing challenges finding a certified tree trimmer to handle work near primary power lines. Lowery said the process is difficult because smaller groups often lack the specific certifications required to work safely around the lines.
