City raises water rates

Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen made a much-needed adjustment to the city’s water rates in their April 18 meeting.

“We have not raised water rates in five years,” city administrator Tonya Tindle explained, adding the last adjustment had only been 10 cents per thousand gallons. “Right now, we are breaking even some months, and some months we are actually losing money.”

Tindle reminded board members that last year the state changed laws on how municipalities are required to report profitability on water and sewer, and the city of Sparta was forced to make amendments to their budget to be compliant.

“If we do not profit for three years in a row, the state will come in and raise the rates for us,” she said, explaining there is a two-year wait for a rate-study and that would put the city at risk of the state taking action, “and they will set them a whole lot higher than we would.”

The proposal that was put before Sparta’s aldermen, and was ultimately approved, was instead of changing the rate, to change the amount of usage that coordinated with the current rates.

“This way you are technically paying for what you use,” Mayor Jerry Lowery said, explaining why he and Tindle felt changing the usage amounts was better than changing the rates themselves. “It effects everybody the same across the board.”

The proposed adjustment will go into effect July 1, 2024, if it passes two more readings, both scheduled to take place at the May meetings of Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

In other action, the board approved a two-year extension to the contract with Water Leak Relief, the company that provides leak insurance to city water customers. They also approved entering into an agreement with Tennessee Law Enforcement Support Office in respect to the transfer of surplus personal property from the Department of Justice for city use.

“They go to the State of Tennessee, and local law enforcement agencies are allowed to get surplus items for free,” Tindle explained, with Mayor Lowery adding that items could include backhoes, tractors, semi-trucks, and compressors among other things. “We must maintain the item for one year, then after that we can do what we want with it, including sell it and keep any profit.”

Codes Officer Mike O’Neal updated the board about the state of the building located at 33 W. Bockman Way, known as the Sparta Hardware Building. O’Neal said he had received news from the building owner the insurance company had given the go-ahead, and the contractor was lined up to begin demolition. He also stated the contractor is responsible for land closures and permits and has submitted those requests to Tennessee Department of Transportation.

“When you are asked about the building, tell them that the owner is waiting on TODT for a lane closure permit,” Mayor Lowery told the aldermen.

A discussion about possible stop signs and rumble strips being placed at two intersections that appear to be getting increasingly dangerous also took place. The intersection of Golden Mountain Road and Hale Street was presented as a possibility for creating a three-way stop because of the danger when turning left off Hale Street. The intersection of Ray Broyles Road and Turntable Road was also discussed with both a two-way and a three-way stop sign system discussed.

“I want you to go look at these, talk to the residents, see what you think,” the mayor said, asking the aldermen to come back with their thoughts and suggestions.

The next meeting of Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen is scheduled for 5 p.m., May 2.