Edwards and Wilson join ranks of city employees

Before their annual Christmas dinner, held this year at Duck Pond Manor, Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen met for their final business meeting of 2022 and made quick work of a full agenda.

The board approved the first reading of the changing of a city ordinance that once required the Planning Commission to have seven members. However, if passed after a second reading, in January, the ordinance will change to say “not less than five … and not more than 10” members.” The board also unanimously agreed to pass a resolution that would allow the city to pay overtime for emergency work done on a holiday.

Next on the agenda were six personnel decisions, all of which the board unanimously approved:

• The hiring of Austin Edwards as a patrolman for the Sparta Police Department
• The hiring of Derek Wilson as a firefighter for Sparta Fire Department
• Authorization for the sale of used surplus police handguns to the police officers in the amount of $250 each, due to the department getting new caliber handguns
• The promotion of Brandon Young to the position of Wastewater Plant Operator in Charge, due to the retirement of Fred Currier
• Approved the solicitation of applications for the position of Wastewater Plant Operator.

The board also agreed to solicit separate bids for three line items: solid waste containers, safety doors at city hall, and chemicals needed by various departments over the next six months. Also under the purchasing headline, the board made the decision to donate $23,079 to Sparta-White County YMCA to help with the purchase of a 60Kw generator. They also approved the purchase of a variety of inventory items for Sparta Electric Department.

After a discussion about the basketball goals in the gymnasium located at the Sparta-White County YMCA and their condition having deteriorated and becoming dangerous, the board voted to donate $10,000 to the organization to be used toward the purchase of new goals.

Sparta’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen also made the decision to reactivate the Sparta Parks and Recreation Board and then appointed the following board members:

• Tara Heady – expiring September 2027
• Daniel Marcum – expiring September 2026
• Megan Choate – expiring September 2025
• Brian Jones – expiring September 2024
• Kyle Goff – expiring September 2023.

The next meeting of the city’s governing board is scheduled 5 p.m., Jan. 5, 2023, at Sparta City Hall.