Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Woodland Cemetery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Woodland reviews cemetery operations, weighs fees, district and water options
Summary
City staff told council Woodland Cemetery holds about 15,000 occupied plots with roughly 2,000 available and recommended keeping temporary maintenance staff after finding contracting would cost more than twice as much; council directed staff to study fee changes, reclaimed water and a cemetery district and requested updates in April and September.
Woodland city staff presented a review of Woodland Cemetery operations and finances at the Dec. 16 meeting, saying the cemetery is largely self-contained but requires ongoing subsidy and operational attention.
"The Woodland Cemetery actually started as just a small burial site," said Christine Ferrer, the community services director. She and Management Analyst Jenna Moncrief described the cemetery's history, inventory and maintenance model, noting the cemetery currently contains about 15,000 occupied plots and roughly 2,000 plots available for purchase. The mausoleum holds about 400 occupied crypts with four available, and cremains niches number about 300 occupied with 130 remaining.
Staff told the council that routine grounds work is handled primarily by temporary city employees and that contracting out maintenance would cost "more than twice as much" as current temporary staffing. Moncrief said the city employs roughly four temporary workers at peak season to help with mowing, gopher control and burials.
Water costs are a significant driver of expenses. Moncrief said water accounts for about 32% of the cemetery's approved budget; the city spent about $114,000 on irrigation in the most recent fiscal year and about $110,000 the previous year against a budgeted irrigation line of $193,000. Staff said drilling a well would be cost-prohibitive (roughly $1.5 million) and that constructing reclaimed-water conveyance could exceed $5 million, though they offered to pursue grant or loan options if council directs further study.
On revenue options, staff compared Woodland's standard plot fee of $1,080 to neighboring cities (Davis and Dixon at $2,000). Moncrief said aligning fees with peers could yield an estimated $26,000 in additional revenue annually based on recent sales; some fee changes fall within the existing fee schedule and could take effect Jan. 1, while larger increases would require a separate council action.
Council discussed a possible cemetery district as an alternative funding and governance model. Staff said formation would require a council resolution and submission of an application to LAFCO; LAFCO staff indicated preliminary support contingent on a sustainable funding plan. City Manager Mr. Magnus and councilmembers noted the city previously considered a district in 2004 and emphasized the need to ensure any entity could sustain long-term maintenance costs.
Mayor Stallard stressed the cemetery's community value while also noting the fiscal challenge: "we are basically subsidizing the cemetery over a quarter million dollars per year." Councilmembers asked staff to research other municipal models, funding implications (including potential assessments), and the feasibility and timeline for reclaimed-water projects. The council requested staff return with supplemental analysis and updates in April and September; no ordinance or financial action was taken at tonight's meeting.
The presentation materials and staff report, which include detailed line items and proposed fee adjustments, will be posted on the city's website. Staff contact information and offers for cemetery tours were provided during the meeting.
