Employee Resignations Cause Sparta Aldermen To Bid Out Light Project

Three employee resignations has caused Sparta to seek an outside party to install lights at the walking bridge and trail at South Carter Street Park.

City Administrator Brad Hennessee told City Council Thursday night the work was going to be completed in-house, but resignations caused the city to reprioritize projects.

“Two of the folks that are resigning work in that street crew that are responsible with right-of-way mowing, so we’re going to have to shift people around,” Hennessee said. “But, it’s going to delay or knock us out of the ability to install the lights.”

Hennessee said he discussed the staffing issues with Public Works Director Dillard Quick. Quick said mowing was selected since the the street department is behind schedule.

“It’s put us in a position where we are having to choose the project work for public works from now until the end of the summer,” Hennessee said. “Dillard and I talked earlier in the week and felt like it was the best move to shift personnel for mowing.”

The work would add lights to the north side of the bridge to match the the south side as well as for the park’s walking trail.

Hennessee said the materials have not been purchased for the project yet. Hennessee said department heads will decide Friday on whether or not to include materials in the bid process.

‘We’ll talk tomorrow,” Hennessee said. “The initial plan was electric and public works was going to work together. We need to decide about the materials or the city buy the materials and the contractor provides labor.”