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 […]
Sparta Senior Center Needs Emergency Sewage Repairs; Council Wants Agreement
The Sparta Senior Center needs emergency sewage repairs, but there are questions as to how it is going to get paid for. The Sparta City Council discussed the sewage issue during a Thursday meeting. The repairs will cost between $28,000 and $33,112. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the situation needs to be addressed as soon […]
Sparta Accepting Applications For New Financial Director
Sparta has started the process to fill its vacant financial director position. The Board of Aldermen approved opening the application portal after Financial Director Tonya Tindle was hired as city administrator. Tindle said four candidates have already applied. “It’s very important, because as small as Sparta is, it’s usually one person doing that job,” Tindle […]
