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Yankton to buy compact excavator for parks; commissioners debate use of cemetery perpetual‑care funds
Summary
The commission approved buying a compact excavator for the Parks Department but discussed whether cemetery perpetual‑care principal could fund part of the purchase; city staff and the city attorney said ordinance and state statutes limit use of perpetual‑care principal to endowment-like treatment.
The Yankton City Commission approved purchase of an E35 Bobcat compact excavator for $61,048.06 for the Parks Department during its Nov. 12 meeting, but the motion prompted a substantive discussion about how to pay for the unbudgeted equipment.
City Manager Leon and Parks staff described operational difficulties using existing equipment for cemetery and creek work and argued the enclosed‑cab mini‑excavator would improve safety and efficiency for staff and reduce risk to grave markers. Staff proposed funding the purchase from Parks capital funds, with the possibility of splitting costs across Parks capital and the cemetery budget because both divisions would use the machine.
Commissioners asked whether the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund could be tapped. Lisa (finance staff) and City Attorney Ross explained the city’s ordinance and relevant state statutes direct that the perpetual‑care fund principal be preserved and investment interest be used for cemetery maintenance; under current rules, the principal is treated like an endowment and cannot be spent without changing the ordinance. Staff estimated the perpetual‑care fund balance at roughly $154,000, but emphasized that the ordinance limits drawing on principal and that any change would require specific ordinance revision.
Commissioners discussed alternatives: use Parks capital (staff said sufficient capital is currently available due to lower-than-expected spending in other Parks projects), split the cost between Parks Capital and cemetery allocations if commissioners choose to re-purpose funds, or amend the perpetual‑care fund language if the commission wanted to allow principal use for equipment. The commission voted to approve the purchase and staff indicated they will proceed using available capital funds and follow up on statutory/ordinance language if commissioners desire a different funding approach going forward.
The meeting record shows staff emphasized caution around changing perpetual‑care rules and suggested providing the commission the exact ordinance and statutory language for consideration before any change to the fund’s permitted uses.
