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Trustees say high electric bills force cuts; AC temporarily turned on in glass mausoleum to address odors
Summary
Superintendent Jeff told trustees that electric costs have exhausted roughly 62% of the cemetery's $17,000 annual electric budget and that, to address heat, insects and odors in the glass Serenity Mausoleum he has temporarily turned on the AC; trustees discussed cutting nonessential services and seeking additional city funds.
Superintendent Jeff told the trustees that persistent heat, insects and odor problems in the largely glass Serenity Mausoleum required immediate action and that he had turned the air conditioning on while longer-term fixes are explored.
"So the only way we're gonna resolve it is to run the AC in that building 20 Fourseven," Jeff said, describing the building's glass construction, ventilation features and recurring insect and odor complaints. He said staff are cleaning and spraying the mausoleum daily but that the conditions returned by day—s end.
Jeff also outlined the cemetery—s utility budget: the department began the year with $17,000 budgeted for electric utilities, he reported, had spent $10,668.42 to date and had $6,331.58 remaining — about 62% of the electric budget used. "To this date we've spent $10,668.42 leaving us the remaining $6,331.58 to pay our utility bill for the rest of the year, which isn't going to work," Jeff said, adding that the department will need to reallocate funds and cut costs in other areas.
To reduce operating expenses he proposed several short-term measures: disconnect the pond fountain, terminate the uniform service contract (Cintas) and restore a clothing allowance directly to employees, and replace rug service with purchased rugs. A board member suggested requesting additional money from the mayor and council rather than making cuts; Jeff said the formal budget hearings begin in late August and that he will ask the mayor for additional funding then.
Trustees praised recent maintenance work and facility improvements but debated the tradeoffs between service cuts and maintaining the cemeteries— appearance. The board did not adopt a final budget action at the meeting; Jeff said he will pursue budget conversations with the mayor and present requests during the August budget hearings.
