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Township cemetery levies, reporting deadlines and budget practice discussed
Summary
Unidentified meeting participants discussed township cemetery funds, the county clerk's efforts to collect end-of-year reports, and a state rule that allows levying the previous year's amount when reports are not submitted.
Unidentified meeting participants discussed how township cemetery funds are reported and levied, the county clerk's role in preparing township budgets, and statutory guidance that lets officials levy the same amount as the prior year if a township does not submit required year-end financial reports.
One participant said the cemetery finances are handled as "agency funds" and described the clerk's practice: "the only financial that we really get from a cemetery township is end of year they're supposed to send it to the clerk and they never do," and added that the clerk prepares budgets when townships do not engage. That speaker said the clerk prepares about 30 budget documents but has heard from only three townships this cycle.
Another participant noted a statutory fallback: "if you do not receive anything, you will levy the same as you did the previous year," and said the county obtained that guidance from the state Department of Administration this year. Participants discussed a July 20 internal deadline for townships to provide their reports and budgets; one participant warned that if materials are not received before the July 20 deadline, "they will be at residential no matter what" (meaning the clerk will use the prior levy).
Speakers also discussed differences among townships: some have little or no cemetery-related expenses beyond mowing, and some townships that receive cemetery levy dollars do not operate or maintain cemeteries. One example raised in the discussion was Scott Township, where participants said local changes in commissioners and precincts complicate who is responsible for cemetery work and for providing the required reports.
The discussion included scheduling and timing details referenced by participants: township appointments are expected by January 1 but, according to the participants, the existing township boundaries or levying practice may remain in effect through January 13. Participants framed these dates as the practical triggers for which precinct or levy base is used for budgeting and elections.
No formal motion or recorded vote on cemetery levies or budgets appears in the transcript segment provided; participants described administrative practice, statutory guidance, and outreach conducted by the clerk's office.
