Sparta hires new police officer

Sparta Police Department has added a new officer who was officially approved for hire at the May 1 meeting of Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The hiring recommendation was for Salvador Segura as a police officer. They also approved the city’s police department adding one additional reserve police officer.

City officials also authorized a proclamation declaring May 1, the National Day of Prayer. After the proclamation, the board moved right into approving two resolutions. The first was to adopt a drone policy for employees. City administrator Tonya Tindle explained the policy was only for employees using city drones. She went on to say the drones were used for taking aerial photographs of events such as the Liberty Square Celebration or for photographing city properties. Tindle explained the policy was one to ensure privacy for citizens and was required by the city’s insurance.

The second of the two resolutions on the May 1 agenda had to do with Human Resources policies for the city. The resolution established a new threshold for payments in regard to cost-of-living increases and longevity payouts for employees.

Another item on the agenda included the approval to purchase nine eight-yard garbage containers in the amount of $10,413.69.

The aldermen, acting as the beer board, approved a request from CalfKiller Brewery to be able to serve alcohol at the Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming Business Expo. The beer permit for Kumo Hibachi Shushi Inc was not approved as a representative from the restaurant was not present at the meeting.

The next meeting of Sparta’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen is scheduled for 5 p.m., May 15, at city hall. All meetings are open to the public and are also livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.