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Council approves purchase of Nelson-model columbarium for Janesville cemetery
Summary
Council approved buying a 48-niche (96-urn capacity using double-urn option) Nelson-model columbarium in Arctic White with bronze plates, using cemetery funds; council discussed delivery logistics and estimated the unit and prep work would use a large portion of the cemetery fund balance.
The Janesville City Council on April 13 approved purchasing a Nelson-model columbarium for the municipal cemetery, selecting an Arctic White finish with bronze name plates.
Cemetery representative Joe presented three quotes: two comparable units from Coldspring priced higher (about $40,771–$42,175 after the presenter’s estimated foundation credit) and a full-granite Nelson model that the presenter favored because it could accommodate two urns per niche and was priced lower for the delivered-and-installed option (about $25,691, $29,572 after pre-drilling for bronze plates). Joe said the cemetery fund balance is just under $80,000 and acknowledged that a purchase would draw the fund down substantially but could be recouped over time through niche sales.
Council members discussed logistics (noting a 70-foot semi-trailer requirement mentioned in one vendor’s specifications), durability of full granite versus mixed construction, and whether to pre-purchase or wait for demand. The presenter recommended the Nelson model with bronze plates; council approved a motion selecting the Nelson 48/96 model in Arctic White with bronze plates, and the motion passed 4-0.
What happens next: Staff will finalize procurement and installation logistics, prepare the foundation or contract the foundation work as decided, and manage niche pricing and reservation policies through the cemetery fund.
