Commissioners explore city takeover or contract to restore cemetery water service

Daniels County commissioners discussed a deteriorating cemetery irrigation system and an offer from the city to provide water and maintenance at cost during the May 19 meeting.

Commissioner Tammy Flatterigger summarized recent conversations: the city offered to provide water to the cemetery at its cost and suggested it could take over water duties, mowers and staffing if the county wanted to reimburse the city. "The city's offering you our cost on the water," Flatterigger said when recounting the city's position. She also reported irrigation components are missing from the newer cemetery section and that a simple sprinkler hookup or dropping a replacement pump into the well were being considered as lower‑cost short‑term options.

Commissioners discussed the cemetery district mill levy and reserve funds the cemetery board has set aside for equipment; Flatterigger noted the board had been accumulating funds for equipment and asked how a transfer of duties might affect those reserves and the board's role. She said she was not asking the board to decide immediately, only to explore options and return findings to the commission.

No formal action was taken. Commissioners requested staff explore the legal and financial implications of a contract or service agreement with the city, clarify whether cemetery board duties would change, and report back with recommended next steps and any required public‑notice or ordinance adjustments.

The matter will return to a future agenda once staff provides options and a recommended contract framework.