City Board Votes on Ordinances

The Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved multiple ordinances during its May 21 meeting. With five ordinances needing to be passed, the board worked quickly, digging into each approval. Laundry establishments, rezoning Ordinances, and Water and Sewer tap fees were among the topics approved.

Before voting on the amendments to Title 14, pertaining to Laundry and Dry-Cleaning establishments, a public hearing was held for anyone who wanted to express concerns. Hearing none, the Board approved the amendment.

The next Ordinance was No. 26-996, which rezoned 427 W. Bockman Way from a Residential “B” to Commercial “D” property. 427 is the building next to Life Church, and this was also approved.

Ordinance No. 26-997 was similar, rezoning another property. This rezoned a parcel on N. Spring Street from Manufacturing/Industrial to Commercial “D.” Once again, this was approved.

The following motion regarded Ordinance No. 26-998. This also amended Title 14 but was in regard to the number of principal structures allowed on a lot. It was approved, as was No. 26-999, which amended Title 18 pertaining to Water/Sewer tap fees.

City Administrator Tonya Tindle explained this amendment, saying, “Now we’re losing money. So, we’re going to make all of them cost plus 10%, so all the board from here on out won’t have to worry about us losing money on these taps because everything is going up so fast. We can’t keep up. And you have to change it by ordinance with two readings. So, we’re going to just make it across the board cost plus 10%.”

“We’re not trying to make money,” said Mayor Lowery. “We just think that it’s- We’re trying to not lose money.”

Other than just the ordinances, the board also approved two bids. One was for auction services, while the other was taking bids for the 2026 Water Line Upgrades for Hampton, Pearson, Wall, W. Everett, W. Bronson, Polk, and Cedar Streets.

Ronald Joshua Hall was lastly approved as a reserve firefighter.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen is always open to the public on the second floor of City Hall, and they are livestreamed on Sparta TN Media. They are the first and third Thursday of the month. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on June 4.