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Greene County cemetery commission seeks levy to fund restoration; commissioners question scope and township responsibilities
Summary
The Greene County cemetery commission presented an inventory of deteriorating cemeteries and proposed a levy that would raise an estimated $77,000 annually; council members questioned existing township responsibilities and funding sources.
The Greene County cemetery commission told the county council Wednesday that many small, private and closed cemeteries are deteriorating and asked the council to consider a property-tax levy to fund restoration and maintenance.
Doug Terrell, speaking for the cemetery commission, reviewed inspections and photos showing toppled, broken and leaning monuments, erosion affecting burial plots and sites with little or no fencing or signage. Terrell said the commission has inspected parts of the county and estimated there are about 300 cemeteries countywide, with roughly 80% in poor condition. "Many of the county cemeteries are in poor and potentially dangerous condition," he said.
The nut graf: the commission requested authority under state law to ask voters for a levy not to exceed state limits. Terrell referenced Indiana Code sections and described the commission’s authority to request an annual levy; he said a levy of 0.067 (noted in the presentation as 0.67¢ per $100 of assessed value) on assessed property in Greene County would yield roughly $76,782 based on the county’s 2024 assessed valuation and provide a recurring funding source for restoration projects, monument repair and limited contracting.
Council members pressed the commission on existing responsibilities and funding. Some members noted townships already receive funds and asked whether townships had been asked for lists of abandoned cemeteries; one council member recommended the commission contact every township trustee to identify cemeteries the township believes it is responsible for. Other council members asked whether property owners or township trustees were already levying or otherwise funding maintenance; Terrell said many trustees mow but lack funds or expertise for monument repair and restoration.
Terrell said the commission has used donations and grants to complete projects, has contracted for monument restoration, and plans a monument-restoration workshop for Sept. 27 at Salisbury Cemetery. He also noted state code references (presented in the meeting) that define cemetery-maintenance activities and the commission’s ability to request a levy for eligible cemeteries.
No formal levy was adopted at the meeting; the presentation and council Q&A were informational and aimed at clarifying needs and next steps.
