Sparta Wants To Upgrade Security In Parks, Safe Residents
Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city is exploring new ways to make city parks even safer for its citizens and visitors. Lowery said the city is taking proactive measures to deter crime, including new emergency response stations. From security cams to street lamps, Lowery said visibility is key. “Just to have well-lit visible parks, […]
Sparta Begins Hotel Feasibility Study On Lodging Shortage
Sparta beginning a hotel feasibility study as city leaders work to address a lack of lodging options for visitors to White County. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city currently has only one hotel that can consistently serve visitors, prompting officials to work with the State of Tennessee’s tourism department on the study. “We’ve literally got […]
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 Purchases Downtown Church For Conference Center
Sparta has officially purchased the former Christpoint Church property on the downtown square and plans to turn it into a new conference center. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said the facility could host community events and support economic development. Lowery said the city has now completed negotiations and finalized the purchase of the building, which he […]
Sparta Budget Features Property Tax Rate Decrease
The City of Sparta plans to decrease property taxes in the upcoming fiscal year. Sparta Aldermen passed a general fund ordinance to cut property tax rates to 59 cents per $100 of assessed value on Thursday. Mayor Jerry Lowery said this is a reappraisal year, and the state recommended a lower rate based on the […]
Sparta Sets Aside Money To Help Airport With Land, Grants
The Sparta Board of Mayor and Alderman voted Thursday night to allocate $120,000 to the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport to assist with future grant requests. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city along with the airports other three owners, Cookeville, Putnam County and White County all agreed to put in the same amount of money. […]
Sparta Aldermen Approve Flocculator For Water Plant
Sparta Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of a flocculator for the water treatment plant Thursday night. The device promotes the clumping together of small particles into larger ones, allowing for easier removal from the water. The purchase price set at $94,500. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the device will help with improvements at the water […]
Sparta Approve New Computer Software
Sparta Aldermen approved the purchase of a new computer operating software for city officials and employees Thursday night. The total proposal cost annually, $31,850. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the city will be reimbursed for a percentage of the cost as the city will not use all of the functions the software offers. Tindle said […]
Sparta Working Out Details For Landfill Usage
Sparta officials working with Waste Management to figure out exactly how the city and landfill will define a new agreement. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city was excluded from the county’s deal with Waste Management so it is developing a completely separate agreement. Lowery said they are considered a vendor of the landfill and they […]
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 […]
