Council adopts updates to Hurricane City cemetery ordinance, tightens residency language

Hurricane City Council approved changes to the municipal cemetery ordinance intended to clarify who qualifies for resident pricing, modernize monument and vault standards and correct terminology in the code.

Council members and staff discussed several substantive items before approving Ordinance 25‑02: the definition of “resident” for purchasing plots at a residential rate, limits on the number of plots a person may buy at the discounted rate, allowable monument dimensions, standards for burial vaults and removal of an unclearly defined provision that allowed groups to contract for portions of the cemetery.

Staff said the ordinance will replace older language adopted in 2017 and make the rules easier to find and apply. Key changes approved in the meeting include a residency test that initially relies on either proof the purchaser is a registered Hurricane City voter or documentation such as a current ID showing a Hurricane City address; staff said utility records can be checked if residency is questioned. Council members agreed the language should be broadened to capture residents who had a Hurricane City driver’s license within the last 10 years, and staff said they will verify residency when needed.

The council retained the existing per‑person discounted‑plot cap at six plots per person (which allows a married couple to purchase 12 plots at resident rates) but debated lowering the cap; members expressed concern about potential abuse while also noting some families are large enough to need more plots. Several council members said they would be open to exceptions if applicants can demonstrate a genuine family need.

Monument rules were relaxed slightly: the ordinance increases allowable concrete border depth from 26 inches to 28 inches and sets a maximum width of 36 inches to reduce the need for monument companies to cut standard granite slabs to size, a change staff said will lower costs for families. On vault standards, staff noted that early plastic vaults failed in testing; the new code references a strength requirement (staff cited a 7.5‑pounds‑per‑square‑inch standard discussed during the meeting) or wording that the product be equivalent in strength to a concrete vault. The draft ordinance also clarifies that the city sells individual plots rather than “lots” (multiple plots) and explains how unused plots may revert to the city if the purchaser does not use them and the city cannot contact the owner.

Council members asked about future cemetery capacity; staff said they are working with Ash Creek on a potential new cemetery site on the west side of town. Several council members also raised questions about whether religious or fraternal organizations should be allowed to purchase large portions of the cemetery; staff said the prior section permitting that was removed because “reasonable portion” was not defined, and the council may revisit any sale or group purchase only with a clear definition.

The council approved the ordinance with a motion recorded in the meeting. Council members asked staff to verify residency with voter registration as the first check and use utility records as needed.