Sparta Walking Away From T-DOT Sidewalk Project
Sparta will no longer pursue a sidewalk project from Bockman Way to Polk Street after the city’s board of aldermen voted to walk away from the project Thursday night. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said even after scaling down, the project would cost an estimated $2 million, which is twice the amount of the city’s grant. […]
Sparta Awarded Grant To Help Local Small Businesses
Sparta has been awarded an estimated $99,500 USDA Rural Business Development Grant to help support its local small businesses. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the grant will be used for local small businesses to develop a strategic five-year action plan in consultation with a firm. The businesses can also participate in a strategic visioning workshop, […]
Sparta Scaling Down Sidewalk Project After T-DOT Approval
The city of Sparta has received approval from T-DOT to scale down its multimodal sidewalk project, after bids came in significantly higher than anticipated. Bids for the project came in at an estimated $2.8 million back in August. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the city received an estimated $1 million grant from T-DOT for the […]
Sparta Aldermen to Stop White County Waste Fees
After several complaints, Sparta Aldermen voted Thursday night to stop collecting White County landfill fees from residents and commercial businesses. City Mayor Jerry Lowery said in a previous agreement with the county the city charged residents $5 and commercial businesses $14 per month. The fees had been collected as part of a charge to the […]
Sparta Returns Industrial Board For Development
Sparta reconstituted its Industrial Development Board Thursday afternoon, after some 20 years without one. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the board is necessary because state law dictates that any industrial development in the city is negotiated by the county commission without it. Lowery said the board will foster development opportunities as they arise and watch for […]
Bockman Way Building Emergency Case, Sparta To Take Bids
Sparta Aldermen declared the crumbling building at 33 West Bockman Way an emergency case, clearing the way for the demolition of the building. Codes Officer Mike O’Neal said the city has given the building owner two weeks over the sixty days to take action required by city ordinance. O’Neal said neither the city nor T-DOT […]
Sparta To Raise Water Rates For First Time In Five Years
Sparta Aldermen voted Thursday night to raise water and utility rates for the first time in five years. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the state rejected the city’s water budget last year. She said for several years now, Sparta utilities have been barely breaking even or losing money every month. She said instead of the […]
Sparta Skate Park Closed Due To Collapsing Building
Sparta has temporarily closed the town skate park as the next-door Old Sparta Hardware Building began to crumble Monday night. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the bricks are falling off the building and the back corner has begun to fall. She said the city has also closed South Church Street and T-DOT has closed one […]
Sparta Police Department Working To Address Low Number Of Officers
Sparta Police Chief Nick Dunn told Aldermen during a Thursday night work session the lack of officers and new certified applicants are hurting the department. Dunn said the city’s low pay compared to nearby areas continues to impact the city. He said he also lacks the ability to give new applicants higher starting wages based […]
Sparta Considering Security For Caboose; Vandalism Reported
As Sparta gets closer to finishing the restoration of its train caboose, city officials concerned about security around the new addition. During the aldermen’s Thursday meeting, City Administrator Tonya Tindle said one of the windows of the caboose was recently broken in an act of vandalism. Mayor Jerry Lowery said he wanted to take inspiration […]
