Volunteer group urges Wichita to clarify cemetery trust fund and increase maintenance at Highland Cemetery

Barb Myers, speaking for Friends of the Wichita Pioneers, told the Wichita City Council on June 3 that Highland Cemetery — founded in 1870 and on the northwest corner of Ninth and Hillside — is one of the city’s oldest historic sites and has “over 17,000” burials including early civic leaders.

Myers said volunteers from Friends of the Wichita Pioneers and other groups have repaired hundreds of markers, led tours and are preparing a nomination for the National Register of Historic Places. She asked the council for three actions: periodic city provision of heavy equipment and labor for large monument repairs; that the city’s Historic Preservation Board form a municipal cemetery preservation advisory committee to advise public-works and parks staff on cemetery upkeep; and a public explanation of the purpose and allowable uses of the city’s cemetery trust fund.

Myers told the council news reports and a Facebook post showed recent vandalism at Highland and said the city’s response that “no money was available” raised questions about the trust fund’s purpose. She said the city’s budget appears to allocate a small amount for cemetery grounds — “something along the lines of $24,000 annually” — and asked whether trust money could be used for security cameras or repairs when families are not available to act.

Mayor Wu and several council members thanked Myers and said they would follow up. The city manager told the council he would prepare a report on the cemetery trust fund’s legal restrictions and allowable uses and would respond to Myers. Council members Tuttle and Glasscock asked Myers to share contact information and offered to take a guided tour of Highland Cemetery.

No formal action or ordinance was taken at the meeting; staff committed to prepare a report for the council and to follow up with the speaker.