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Firth board weighs cemetery remapping, kiosk cost and a perpetual-care policy
Summary
Board members reviewed vendor options for updating cemetery records: a kiosk-based system quoted at $29,000 and a lower-cost online option near $10,000; members agreed to finalize a cemetery policy (fees, opening/closing graves) and explore grants before choosing technology.
The Firth Village Board spent an extended segment discussing cemetery management needs, vendor quotes and the immediate next step of adopting a formal cemetery policy.
Tina summarized the vendor’s visit and the technology options the village was shown. She reported a kiosk-equipped on-site system (with power and on-premises hardware) was quoted at $29,000. ‘‘Option one with kiosk is $29,000,’’ Tina said. Board members reacted that the kiosk option would be expensive and discussed an alternative online-only option priced closer to $10,000 with additional annual fees.
The board compared those vendor figures with the village’s current arrangement (about $350 per year) and noted the vendor’s online option carried a larger setup cost and possibly higher annual fees (one figure discussed for vendor annual fees was about $2,300). Members emphasized that the priority is fixing the cemetery’s numbering and map so records make sense, and that a prior survey work may be needed first.
Board direction and next steps
Members agreed the immediate task is to adopt a clear cemetery policy covering opening/closing fees, perpetual-care charges and any numbering or survey requirements. The board asked staff to draft policy language for the next meeting and to explore grant support through the Nebraska Cemetery Association for remapping or roundabout/landscape work.
Board members noted sales of two to five lots per year and discussed whether to charge for perpetual-care accounts and how to handle digital photos and cloud hosting of records. No final vendor decision was made at the meeting; members directed staff to return with policy language, written vendor quotes and a clearer cost comparison.
Why it matters: Cemetery records and policy affect residents and descendants who rely on accurate maps and preserved burial sites. A costly kiosk purchase would be a significant one-time expense; the board prioritized policy clarity and survey work before committing to hardware.
What was quoted in the meeting
- Kiosk on-site option: $29,000 (reported by Tina). (SEG 177–SEG 183) - Online-only option: about $10,000 setup plus an annual vendor fee discussed in the meeting (figures discussed ranged around $2,300 vs. the village’s current $350/yr hosting). (SEG 187–SEG 200)
Next steps: Staff to prepare a draft cemetery policy and collect formal written quotes and grant opportunities for the board’s review.
