Greene County commissioners approve cemetery commission bylaws; commission asks for small levy to fund restorations

The Greene County Board of Commissioners on May 9 approved bylaws for the Greene County Cemetery Commission after a presentation outlining inspection findings and a request for a small property tax levy to fund cemetery restoration.

Doug Carroll, president of the Greene County Cemetery Commission, told the commission the panel was established by county resolution in 2013 and that its purpose is "to identify resources to restore and maintain 1 or more eligible cemeteries within the county." He said physical inspections are ongoing and that many small, private cemeteries show signs of neglect: "smaller close cemeteries in private land are generally in poor condition. Forest encroachment, grass is not being mowed, low spots, the monuments are dirty, broken, leaning."

Carroll detailed recent work and limited finances: erosion control at Ham Raper Cemetery cost about $1,600; monument cleaning and partial repair at Raymould Hudson Cemetery cost about $2,200; the commission began 2024 with about $6,000, took in roughly $335 in donations, spent about $4,000, and closed 2024 with an ending balance of $2,026.60. As of the meeting the 2025 balance was $1,926.60 after $100 in signage expenses.

Carroll cited Indiana law on funding options and said the commission would like the board to consider a levy. He said, "I'm making a request on behalf of the cemetery commission, of a levy of 1p on each $1,000 of asset valuation of property in the county." He added an illustrative calculation: using a previous assessed valuation near $1,146,000,000 would provide about $11,460 annually at that rate, which the commission said could fund two or three restoration projects per year targeted at cemeteries that pose hazards to visitors.

Commissioners and staff discussed options. One commissioner noted the Indiana code permits a higher rate (stated in the presentation as "50¢ on each hundred dollars of assessed valuation"), and Carroll said the commission was intentionally proposing a modest starting figure. Commissioners praised the voluntary work, noted the commission currently has three of five members appointed, and moved to approve the bylaws as presented. A motion to approve the bylaws passed unanimously.

The commission said it will continue donation and grant outreach, procure signage, complete inspections and consider a monument-restoration workshop in the fall. Carroll said he plans to present the levy request and bylaws to the county council as part of the budget process before July.

The board did not adopt any levy at the May 9 meeting; commissioners approved only the commission bylaws and encouraged the group to return with further budget materials and a formal request to the council.

Carroll said the commission is still compiling a complete list of county cemeteries and estimated the county contains "300 plus cemeteries"; he said the commission is funded largely by donations and some grants and will seek broader funding if the levy or other sources are approved.

The commission also asked for more volunteers to fill two open seats; commissioners encouraged interested residents to contact county staff.