City board reviews waste management regulations

A range of critical topics were discussed the recent meeting of Sparta city officials, specifically amendments to the waste management regulations.

During the Aug. 1, meeting, Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen engaged in a thorough discussion regarding Ordinance Number 24981, which sought to revise regulations pertaining to residential solid waste management. The amendment aims to restrict the inclusion of certain large items, such as furniture, appliances, and other bulky non-household waste, in the regular waste collection services provided by the city. Tonya Tindle, city administrator, elaborated on the rationale behind the proposed changes, emphasizing the need to streamline waste management operations while minimizing costs for both the city and its residents.

 Concerns were raised about the potential fees that waste management companies might impose for collecting these oversized items, prompting the board to consider alternative solutions and communication strategies to inform residents about the impending changes. Following a detailed discussion, the ordinance successfully passed its first reading, with plans in place to further assess potential costs and determine an effective implementation date before the second reading. The board agreed that giving the community prior notice to the new policy’s effective date would be crucial. However, Tindle, along with Mayor Jerry Lowery, emphasized the date needs to be sooner rather than later, as Waste Management, the new company that recently took over the county’s landfill, has already sent bills the city was not anticipating.

 In addition to waste management matters, the board approved a resolution to facilitate the sale of abandoned and seized properties through GovDeals, a platform for disposing of surplus assets. Also approved was an agenda item that allowed for the write-off of old utility bills, a common practice for bills associated with deceased or departed individuals. City officials highlighted the importance of recouping outstanding amounts from returning customers seeking utility services to ensure financial sustainability for the city.

 The board also approved the purchase of essential equipment for municipal departments, including a 2024 Polaris Ranger 570 side by side for the sewer plant and an extreme vac leaf machine for the street department. These acquisitions were deemed necessary to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.

 Looking toward the future, discussions centered on potential grant opportunities for park renovations, with a specific focus on upgrading the skateboard park through a grant program. Tindle explained there is a grant application now open that, if received, could be used to provide funds for a new concrete pad, among other things. The city would be able to use the ramps, rails, and other equipment from the skate park that had to be removed when the old Sparta Hardware Building, which was adjacent to the skate park began to fall last spring and created a safety hazard. Tindle also said there is an upcoming meeting with the Parks and Recreation department to assess and potentially upgrade all parks in the area, moving away from wood materials to plastic and composite materials for playground equipment.

The next meeting of Sparta’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen is scheduled for 5 p.m., Aug. 15, at Sparta City Hall.