News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Sparta Aldermen approved an ordinance Thursday to prohibit the Solid Waste Department from picking up furniture, mattresses, and other large items.
The change followed the ownership switch at the County Landfill. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said new fees from Waste Management to dispose of those items caught the city by surprise.
“We don’t know exactly what the fees are,” Lowery said. “To be honest with you and we didn’t budget for that at all, so this is an ongoing thing that right off the bat we are going to have to do this to stop taking that, otherwise we will increase a lot of fees and it’s going to put a lot of burden on our homeowners.”
The ordinance must still pass second reading. Lowery said the board must still set a date for the ordinance to go into effect.
“At the second reading, we will set a date and I think it needs to be sooner rather than later,” Lowery said. “So we don’t have all that stuff piled up. I think it needs to happen pretty quick after our reading. With that said we need to pass this tonight because if we don’t we will be behind the eight ball.”
City Recorder Tonya Tindle said the city is still picking up household trash and for large items, there is a workaround for the time being.
“As a resident, they can take these items to the convenience center themselves at no charge,” Tindle said. “Instead of us picking it up and passing a fee on to the homeowner for picking up those large items.”
In other business, the Aldermen approved to purchase 2024 Polaris Ranger SP570 side by side for the Sewer Plant. The vehicle cost $14,377.18. The Aldermen approved to write off past due utility bills for deceased residents.
