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Commission considers raising cemetery plot fees and closing resale loophole; staff proposes phased enforcement
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Summary
The commission proposed increasing city cemetery plot prices from $325 to $2,500 to offset maintenance costs, would require any resales to be offered back to the city to close a resale‑for‑profit loophole, and staff proposed a phased compliance approach with 60 days' notice.
The Boynton Beach City Commission discussed proposed changes to cemetery policy intended to stop private resale of subsidized city plots and to shore up the cemetery maintenance fund.
Chair outlined cases where individuals and an out‑of‑city company bought city plots or mausoleums and later resold them for profit, arguing the city was effectively subsidizing burial costs compared with private cemeteries. "If you come to the city of Boynton Beach, you can purchase a plot for $325," the chair said, noting a comparable private cemetery charges between $8,000 and $10,000. The chair proposed raising the city plot price to $2,500 to help the cemetery fund cover maintenance and operations.
Staff recommended an ordinance to require resales be offered back to the city rather than allowing third‑party resale, closing what staff described as a loophole. Commissioners stressed compassion for grieving families and said enforcement should be phased and preceded by outreach. A staff member said the plan would include notification and a 60‑day compliance period and additional signage in the cemetery before strict enforcement begins: "we're gonna notify everybody and give them 60 days to come into compliance."
Commissioners asked that staff reach out to affected families and phase enforcement so items left at gravesites are not immediately removed. Staff said they would return with ordinance language and implementation details for the commission's consideration. No final action was taken at the meeting.
