Coppell council directs staff to prioritize residents, price changes and small expansion at Rolling Oaks Memorial Center

City staff told the Coppell City Council on April 8 that Rolling Oaks Memorial Center should be run with a “community‑focused” philosophy, with new pricing, a limit on plots sold per household and a small in‑ground expansion to sustain operations.

The presentation by city staff said Rolling Oaks operates on a special revenue fund — not property tax revenue — and that operations are funded by sales and service income at the cemetery. Staff proposed a shift from the cemetery’s more regional orientation back to a community focus, including a formal residency‑verification process and two price tiers: a resident rate and a standard (nonresident) rate. “We would require specific documentation to receive the resident pricing,” the presenter said.

Why it matters: Staff and a consultant told council the cemetery is below market on prices, has limited in‑ground inventory and has in recent years drawn purchasers from across the metro area. The recommended changes are intended to preserve capacity for Coppell residents and to create a sustainable revenue stream going forward.

Staff outlined four linked recommendations: (1) adopt a community‑focused operational philosophy, (2) raise rates and eliminate ad hoc discounts, (3) change the sale limit from the current 15 spaces per contract to a limit of six spaces…