Pleasanton commission backs recommendation to raise fees, pause new casket sales at Pioneer Cemetery

The Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Commission on Dec. 16 voted to forward a staff recommendation to city council to amend the master fee schedule for Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery, accepting consultant findings that several fees should rise to cover higher contractor and delivery costs.

Heidi Murphy, director of library and recreation for the city of Pleasanton, introduced the item and said the goal is to move the cemetery toward being a self-supporting enterprise fund rather than relying on general-fund subsidies. "We are here tonight to talk to you about updating the master fee schedule at the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery," Murphy said.

Consultant Stephanie Sloan outlined benchmarking research and proposed operational changes intended to reduce the city’s long-term liabilities. Sloan recommended unbundling certain services and "pausing the new casket sales," so the city only sells burial services when a death occurs and current rates apply. She recommended raising the property portion of previously bundled packages from $4,000 to $5,000, a roughly 24% increase, to align with comparable municipal cemeteries.

Sloan also presented proposed service-fee adjustments. The presentation listed a proposed cremated-remains fee of $1,400 (noted by the presenter as roughly a 10% increase) and a proposed disinterment fee increase from about $3,300 to $4,200, citing increased contractor effort and costs for disinterment work. Weekend and holiday services would carry higher overtime charges to reflect the contractor’s actual weekend rates.

Commissioners questioned the comparables and mechanics of the new schedule. Commissioner Shemp asked whether municipal cemeteries allow installment payments; Sloan said municipalities generally require full payment and some private operators offer installment plans (sometimes with interest). Commissioner Hall asked whether the adjustments would cover ongoing maintenance; staff said the reset aims to move toward breakeven but that meeting that goal will likely take one to two years given past underpricing and recent contract changes.

Commissioner Medina sought detail on benchmarking and flagged an Excel formula error in an attachment; Sloan acknowledged the mistake and clarified that the municipal high in the local comps was $5,000 for a cremation burial and that columbarium niches (an above-ground product) were not included in their primary comparisons.

An unidentified commissioner moved to "recommend the city council adopt the resolution amending the master fee schedule for the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery." Commissioner Shemp seconded. In roll call, Commissioners Deckard, Imadhi/Imadine, Medina, Chen and Chair Brown recorded affirmative votes; the chair announced, "Motion passes." The recommendation will be considered by city council at a later meeting.

The special meeting concluded; staff noted that commission reports and "matters initiated" will be deferred to the next regular meeting in February.