City of Sparta Illinois

On Monday, July 6, Sparta City Hall will reopen with limited operations to
provide city services to Sparta residents. We ask that water bill
payments be made by using the drop box. The city will adhere to
gathering restrictions and social distancing rules. For the health and wellbeing of both residents and staff members, our office has implemented
operational changes to increase safety.

All visitors are recommended to wear a mask or face covering and practice
social distancing (maintaining a six-foot distance) while inside City Hall. The lobby will be limited to 2 people to maintain the social distancing
requirement.

Drop Box/ Utility Bill
A drop box is located at the entrance of City Hall to ensure payments can be made safely and efficiently as possible. We ask that water bill payments be made by using the drop box. The drop box is emptied regularly throughout the work day. All payments dropped off after 3pm during regular business hours will be posted the next business day. Bills may be paid online or by mail. To make a payment online, visit
spartaillinois.us. First time users will need their current utility bill to set up an account. If you have questions, please call City Hall 618-443-2917.

Past Due Utility Bills
The City Council agreed to waive “Late Day” fees while the office was closed. Moving forward, residents will have until July 31, 2020 to bring any past due bills current. All past due accounts will be charged a $25.00 “Late Day” fee or a “Reconnection” fee on August 3, 2020. To avoid disconnection or “Late Day” fees, payments must be in drop box no later than 7:00 am August 3, 2020. Any past due payments placed in drop box after 7am on August 3, 2020 will be considered late and fees will apply. Shut offs will begin August 3, 2020 for all past due accounts.

Utility Assistance
Western Egyptian E.O.C.- Randolph County Outreach Office
The local WEEOC Outreach Office personnel are usually the first contact individuals make with the agency when they need help. Some major programs offered directly by the offices are Weatherization, Energy Assistance, Homeless Assistance, Head Start, Tax and Insurance Assistance, Emergency Food and Shelter, Budget Counseling, and Housing Counseling.

Randolph County Office
1820 N. Market (Front Building)
Sparta, IL 62286
Phone: 1.618.443.5231
Fax: 1.618.443.5279
Web: www.weeoc.org

Applications/Permits
Applications and permits are available at City Hall in the lobby or follow this http://spartaillinois.us/?page_id=348.

Board/Committee Meetings
City Hall will be open for all meetings.
Social distancing of at least six-feet is required at all times and the number of individuals allowed to be in a meeting room at the same time will be determined by the ability to adhere to the six-foot distance requirement. At no time shall there be more than 50 people in a meeting. Appropriate masks will be required to be worn during the entire period of time in the meeting if proper social distancing cannot be maintained. Employees shall sanitize the equipment and meeting area they are using prior to the meeting.

The Sparta Water Department will be initializing a free chlorine burnout on the water distribution
system starting today, April 1st and ending in approximately 30 days. This burnout is necessary
maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the water quality.
During this period customers may temporarily experience low pressures, a slight taste and smell of
chlorine, discoloration or even some sediment in their water. Also, discoloration in laundry is possible during this time. It is recommended that customers check for discolored water before adding
clothes to their washing machine. This is normal and will only be temporary. Is the Water Safe to
Drink? Yes, the water is safe to drink throughout this process. Customers who wish to reduce the
taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in the refrigerator overnight to dissipate chlorine faster.
Customers may see fire hydrants standing open – this is part of the process, and will be monitored
by employees.
During normal business hours residents may call 618-443-2917, Ext. 165 with any questions concerning the free chlorine burnout. Sparta Water Department apologize for any inconvenience this
may cause and appreciates residents’ patience and understanding as it works to further improve the
quality of the water for all customers.

Construction of a replacement of the Sparta Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is financed by the Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund (SRF). The SRF program is administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and receives portion of its money to fund these types of projects from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This project includes sanitary sewer system improvements as well as construction of a new wastewater treatment facility consisting of a headworks with grit removal, an oxidation ditch, two clarifiers, a sludge pump station, sludge digesters, sludge handling facilities and lab building. Once complete, it will improve water quality in the environment for area residents and businesses in Sparta by improving the discharge quality from the wastewater treatment facility. SRF programs operate in each state to provide communities the resources necessary to build, maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects one of our most valuable resources: water.