Sirens and Splash Pad Delays at Mayor and Aldermen Meeting

Anyone in downtown Sparta likely heard the storm sirens going off last week, and many residents await eagerly for the opening of the Splash Pad and playground. Both were addressed during the Board of Mayor and Aldermen this month. A bit of a longer meeting with tons of ordinances to get through before the new fiscal year, the Fire Chief and Public Works also addressed questions on the sirens and splash pad.

Last week, repairs on some of the storm sirens were worked on, as anyone downtown can attest to when they went off. Chief Kevin Powers explained that “We’re working with Mike O’Neal to repair those sirens.”

The playground for the Splash Pad, located just behind the YMCA, is expected to be finished in about 45 days, according to the Board. That is just the playground, though. The Splash Pad itself is still pending its finalization.

Mayor Lowery said, “It’s happening. We don’t know the exact opening date right now. The weather and other unforeseen circumstances have kind of pushed us back. Dillard and them are doing a great job. There’s a lot of work that’s done over there already, and they continue to do a lot of work.”

Before two of the first main ordinances were voted on, a public hearing was offered for anyone who had qualms regarding the ordinance. With nobody speaking up against it, Ordinances 26-966 and 26-997 were both approved. The former rezoned 427 W. Bockman Way from Residential to Commercial. The latter rezoned a parcel on N. Spring Street from Manufacturing/Industrial to Commercial. Both were approved unanimously.

The next ordinances included various amendments. Ordinance 26-998 amended Title 14 of the Sparta Municipal Code related to the number of Principal Structures allowed on a lot. The next is 26-999, which amended Title 18, Chapter 3, Section 308 of the code about Water/Sewer Tap fees. Then, 26-1000, hitting the big four digits, was an Ordinance to provide for the general revenue for fiscal year 2026-2027, which sets the city tax rate the same as this past fiscal year. 26-1001 was to fix the annual appropriations of several city departments for the new fiscal year. Lastly, 26- 1002 was to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget that was adopted by Ordinance 25-989. All these were approved without a hitch.

After that big wave of ordinances came two resolutions, No. 26-624 and 26-625. The former authorized the appropriation of funds for Financial Aid to Public Service, Nonprofit, and Charitable Organizations for the 26-27 Fiscal Year. The latter established an allowance policy for the City of Sparta.

Other important items of business included the authorization for bids on Rock and Concrete for the upcoming fiscal year. Eric Golden was also promoted to Water Plant Operator with an increased pay grade, due to his passing his Grade IV Water Plant Operator. Lastly was Melvin Troyer, who got approved as a Reserve Firefighter, and he was sworn in by Mayor Lowery right there on the spot after it was approved, too.

The Beer Board for the city also had an important item of business. At the First National Bank’s hosted Business Expo on June 11, Calfkiller Brewing Co. applied for a special event permit to service the event. This was similarly approved unanimously.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen meets every first and third Thursday of the month at City Hall. The next regularly scheduled meeting is for June 18. All meetings are open to the public and livestreamed on their YouTube page at Sparta TN Media.