Advisory staff propose modest cemetery fee increases; board discusses contracts with partner cemeteries

The committee reviewed a multi‑year fee analysis and discussed modest rate increases and contract adjustments for partner cemeteries.

Speaker 4 presented an overview of cemetery operations and said the city handles roughly 130–150 burials per year and sells about 60 lots annually. ‘‘We only sell about 60 lots a year,’’ Speaker 4 said, and noted the cemetery ‘‘doesn't make money overall’’ and functions as a city service. Discussion included a rise in cremations; Speaker 4 said cremation is approaching about 50 percent of interments in recent years.

On pricing, Speaker 4 proposed consolidating some monument‑setting fees and raising the weekend funeral surcharge; transcript discussion referenced moving a weekend fee from $3.50 toward about $4.00 and noted Saturday funerals produced roughly $3,300 divided across events this year. Members debated whether the suggested increases were modest and comparable to neighboring municipalities; Speaker 4 said rates remain broadly in line with nearby municipal cemeteries.

The board also reviewed contracts under which the city maintains other cemetery sites (Calvary, Servicemen's/Legion and Allegiance), covering mowing, snow removal and records. Speaker 4 proposed raising contract payments by about $30–$60 for some partners and asked whether exceptions should be made where partner organizations lack funds. Members instructed staff to refine proposals and return with a formal rate schedule for final action in January.

No fee schedule was formally adopted at the meeting. Staff indicated they will finalize rates in January and bring the updated fee and contract proposals back to the advisory group.