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Sparta ratifies emergency engine rebuild, moves to voucher-based Clean‑Up Day and previews 2% utility-rate plan
Summary
The Village Council ratified an emergency $31,151.02 engine rebuild for a 2015 dump truck, agreed to pursue a voucher-based Clean‑Up Day with Kent County splitting costs, previewed a proposed automatic 2% annual utility rate increase for 2025, approved payables totaling $742,581.03, and heard a resident raise annexation concerns.
SPARTA, Mich. — At its Oct. 14 meeting the Village of Sparta council ratified an emergency engine rebuild for a 2015 International dump truck, agreed to a voucher-based Clean‑Up Day plan while the Civic Center is under construction, previewed a proposed automatic 2% annual increase to water and sewer rates, and approved the month’s payables.
Council ratified the emergency repair of a critical DPW vehicle, authorizing MHK Equipment Service to rebuild the truck engine at a cost of $31,151.02 so the vehicle is serviceable ahead of winter operations. The ratification was made under the Village’s emergency purchasing authority (cited in the minutes as section 2-205 of the Village Code) on a motion by Council Member Dave Cumings with a second from Council Member Brenda Braybrook; the motion passed unanimously.
DPW Director Bill Hunter introduced three new DPW staff members (Amber Bouwman, Corey Fahling and Jordan Gapinski) and noted existing staff including Conrad Bowman. Hunter explained the urgency of getting the dump truck operational for snow removal and heavy hauling.
Because construction of a new Civic Center will eliminate space for the usual spring Clean‑Up Day at the DPW garage, Village Manager Jim Lower reported Kent County agreed to allow Sparta to use a voucher system at the North Kent Recycling and Waste Center on 10 Mile Road. Under the plan the Village would pay roughly half the cost of vouchers (the township would cover the other half); Lower estimated the Village’s share to be about $13,000. The council gave consensus to proceed and staff will set specific redemption dates in the coming spring.
On utility policy, Lower previewed the draft 2025 budget and capital improvement plan and proposed an automatic 2% across‑the‑board utility rate increase for water and sewer beginning in 2025, which the council discussed as a way to smooth future increases; the proposal was for council consideration at a later date and was not adopted at this meeting.
The council approved September payables totaling $742,581.03 on a motion by Council Member Courtney Mais, seconded by Brenda Braybrook; the motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Andy Milanowski also informed the council that Sparta Police has been asked to assist with a presidential campaign event in Grand Rapids involving Kamala Harris.
During public comment resident Travis Ward of 2169 Sparty Lane raised concerns about an October 2023 action memo relating to the property at 2124 12 Mile Rd (owned by Chad Momber), and the council discussed whether the matter involves annexation or a 425 agreement and its relation to the Village Master Plan; no formal action was taken on the matter at the meeting.
