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Board approves phased increases to Pine Grove Cemetery fees, adds nonresident surcharge
Summary
After staff presented a shortfall in the cemetery’s endowment and projected long‑term maintenance needs, the board approved a graduated fee schedule and a $1,000 nonresident surcharge, with interim rates for the remainder of the year and full rates effective Jan. 1, 2027.
The board approved a phased schedule of cemetery fees and a nonresident surcharge after hearing a staff presentation that the Pine Grove Cemetery endowment stood at about $56,000 versus a target of roughly $280,000–$380,000 to sustain maintenance for 20–30 years.
Director Glenn Spitzer reviewed current pricing — $1,000 for a casket plot and $500 for a cremation plot — and recommended resident rates of $2,500 for a casket plot and $1,250 for a cremation plot. He also proposed a $1,000 surcharge for nonresidents and a process to grant hardship discounts to Amador County residents who cannot afford the new rates.
Board members discussed a phased approach to avoid an abrupt price shock. One supervisor proposed interim pre‑sale rates ($1,750 for casket plots and $750 for cremation plots) for the remainder of the year, with the proposed higher rates to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The board approved the phased approach and the nonresident surcharge unanimously.
Spitzer explained the endowment modeling used conservative assumptions (assumed sale pace, 3% inflation and projected investment returns) to calculate the target principal needed to support maintenance when plot sales cease. He said the county will maintain the historic section and that hardship requests can be brought to the board for case‑by‑case discounts.
The board approved the motion (including the interim price, the graduated schedule and the $1,000 nonresident fee) by unanimous vote.
