Cemetery paving and preservation funding discussed during budget review

City staff and councilors discussed cemetery operations and near-term paving plans as part of the capital budget review Tuesday. Bob, a cemetery staff member, walked councilors through proposed maintenance increases, a $50,000 encumbrance planned for repaving around the main building and chapel, and the option to carry unspent bond money into the next year. The group discussed whether large paving or landscaping projects should proceed if public use of the cemetery and memorial services is declining. Bob said attendance and volunteer participation have fallen, which raised questions about spending on a memorial home upgrade or a larger paving project if community use remains low. Dave, a city finance staff member, said any bond funds not used could be repurposed for other projects. Councilors and staff noted one outreach lead who has experience upgrading local memorials to state historic status and mentioned possible grant funding that targets historic public cemeteries; staff said they would share that contact with cemetery staff for follow-up. No vote or formal appropriation was taken; staff will return with a plan for encumbrance and further grant research. Ending: Councilors directed staff to hold cemetery funds in the geo-bond fund for now, encumber the paving funds if needed to preserve them for next year, and to pursue a contact identified by staff who may help locate state or private grant funding for historic cemetery preservation.