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Murray staff propose broad increases to cemetery fees as city runs short of standard lots
Summary
City staff told the council they want to raise multiple cemetery fees — including disinterment and double-depth reburials — citing higher labor and materials costs, a subsidy from the general fund and comparably lower rates than neighboring jurisdictions.
Bruce Holyoke, presenting the item labeled as an amendment to section 13.4805 of the Murray City Municipal Code, asked the council to approve higher fees at the Murray City Cemetery, saying the city's rates are below peer cities and rising costs make the current schedule unsustainable. "We hadn't changed our fees in the cemetery for quite a long time," Holyoke said, and offered examples: disinterment currently $1,300 (resident) proposed to rise to $2,000; double-depth reburials proposed at $3,500; cremains lot proposed to rise from $200 to $300 for residents and to $400 for nonresidents (presentation summarized from SEG 310'SEG 343).
Holyoke told the council that the city is effectively subsidizing cemetery operations: "We do have a perpetual care account, and that perpetual care account does not cover all of the expense of running the cemetery each year," and added that the general fund makes up the shortfall. In response to councillors, staff confirmed the cemetery has no more standard adult grave lots available; only infant graves and niches remain, so some price categories would not apply to new standard lots but would apply to services such as disinterments, after-hours openings and niche engraving (SEG 380'SEG 485, SEG 571'SEG 577).
Council members pressed for clarity on revenue expectations and on customer classification for resident vs. nonresident charges. Holyoke said he had not calculated projected annual revenue from the increases and that labor, overtime and equipment cost increases drove the recommendation. Staff also recommended charging $300/hour for after-hours work (three-hour minimum) and higher weekend/holiday premiums to cover overtime costs (SEG 539'SEG 550).
Members raised public-safety and nuisance questions about theft and vandalism reported at the cemetery; city staff said police had increased patrols and discussed fencing options, but warned a fully locked facility would require staffing to open/close gates and could limit residents who currently use the grounds for walking (SEG 620'SEG 644).
Next steps: the matter was discussed but not adopted at this meeting; staff indicated they will return with any additional analyses and formally proposed ordinance language for a future action if the council directs.
