Sparta Mayor and Aldermen Approve Pay Raise

The Sparta Board of Mayor and Alderman will see a one hundred dollar per month pay increase during the new fiscal year.

The board approved the second and final reading of a pay raise during their meeting on July 5.

Alderman Hoyte Jones originally brought the raise before the board.

Jones said he believes the pay raise will entice more candidates to run for office. Mayor Jeff Young said he agreed with Jones.

“We have an election coming up. Nobody wants to get involved, nobody wants to put the time in that it takes to go this job. You have to make decisions that make friends mad,” Young said. “And that is always tough. You have to make hard decisions on a lot of topics and you have to put in a lot of time.”

Although some aldermen disagree with giving the board pay raises, no other municipal power can give the board a raise.

Alderman Lowery said he would never agree with the increase.

“You all know my feelings on this. I never ever will think it is right for an elected official to vote for themselves a pay raise,” Lowery said. “I just think this is wrong. I’ve got one voice and I just think it is wrong for us to vote ourselves a pay raise. And that is my stance.”

Alderman Chad Griffin and Alderman Lowery voted against the raise.

The Sparta Board has not received a pay increase in over sixteen years.