Motion to dismiss granted in lawsuit against City of Sparta
Mon, Jul 20, 2026
By Reece Candler A motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Sparta City Commissioner Gary Hanna versus the City of Sparta and other local officials was granted July 14 in Randolph County Court. The dismissal came after a motion was made by Sparta City Attorney Clay Finley. Also included in the lawsuit by Hanna were Sparta Mayor Jason Schlimme and Sparta Fire Chief Tim Rucks. “We’re gratified the motion was granted,” Finley told the County Journal following the hearing. “The city hopes it will be resolved soon.” The lawsuit was initially filed by Hanna April 27 in which he alleges the July 2025 resolution that led to the removal of his powers as the Commissioner of Public Health and Safety was illegal. Hanna also alleges Schlimme had no authority to appoint a fire chief as he was not serving as Commissioner of Public Safety at the time of the appointment. The disagreement between Hanna and the city began in July 2025 over who would be appointed Sparta Fire Chief, in which he wanted to appoint Ross Slavens as fire chief. Hanna alleges Schlimme would not include Slavens on the list of appointments following this intention and blocked Hanna’s request for the council to vote on the appointment. Hanna also alleges he received no reason as to why his powers were removed and that Rucks is serving in his position as Fire Chief illegally. Following the granting of the dismissal, Hanna and his attorney, James Kelley, have 30 days to file an amended complaint in the suit. Speaking to the County Journal, Kelley said the complaint will be amended to reflect the new situation. “Our position is the effort they took changed, but did not remedy the situation,” Kelley said.
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