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Emery discusses cemetery mapping and proposed plot fee increases; Pioneer Church grant noted
Summary
Council members discussed outdated cemetery records and a proposal to increase plot fees to $300 for residents and $600 for nonresidents, and noted a Rocky Mountain Power grant to support window work at Pioneer Church. Council proposed an effective date of Jan. 1 to allow residents time to buy plots at current prices.
Emery Town Council discussed steps to update cemetery records and a proposal to raise cemetery plot and opening/closing fees at its Oct. 8 meeting. Council members said cemetery plot records have not been updated since 2006 and that a GIS map of plots is now required.
Council discussion focused on bringing fees closer to cost. One council member proposed increasing resident plot fees to $300 and nonresident fees to $600 and raising opening and closing fees "to cover our cost," with the changes proposed to take effect Jan. 1 to give residents time to purchase under current rates. Council did not adopt the change at this meeting; members discussed pricing, timelines and next steps for formal adoption.
The council also received an update on the Pioneer Church restoration: officials said Emery received a grant from Rocky Mountain Power intended to help with window work. No grant amount was specified in the meeting record.
Why it matters: Cemetery fees and plot availability affect residents directly; updating records and adopting cost-aligned fees are also auditor concerns because current fees and recorded costs were described as below cost. Updating plot records with GIS would improve record-keeping and reduce future administrative risk.
Clarifying details: The transcript records a plan to set new plot fees at $300 (residents) and $600 (nonresidents) and to hold any effective date until Jan. 1; the auditors noted the cemetery plot index has not been updated in roughly 20 years. The Pioneer Church has funding from Rocky Mountain Power for window work; no dollar amount was recorded.
Next steps: Council asked staff to refine fee language, post proposed fee changes for public notice and return with a draft ordinance or fee resolution for a subsequent meeting.
