Warsaw City Council will review a proposal to increase burial lot and grave opening fees at Oakwood Cemetery.
Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents Thursday approved submitting a favorable recommendation to the city council to increase lot fees by $50, cremation burial fees by $25 and an increase of 5 cents per square inch for foundations.The cemetery has not increased its cemetery fees since 2001. The proposed fee increase is attributed to cost of living increases, according to cemetery sexton Hal Heagy.
"It's not an easy decision to make to increase cemetery fees. We are trying to be good stewards, but still stay current with the cost of living," Heagy said.
He said he will need to prepare an ordinance to submit to the city council for review.
The current price for lots and grave openings is $250 for Warsaw residents. With the proposed $50 increase, residents would pay $300 for burial lots.
Non-residents currently pay $350 for burial lots, and would pay $400 after the increase. Non-residents currently pay $275 for grave openings, and would pay $325 after the increase.
The board also approved a $25 increase for cremation burial fees. Warsaw residents currently pay $60 for cremation burial, and the proposed rate would be $85.
Non-residents currently pay $75 for cremation burial and would pay $100 with the increase.
The proposal also includes a 5-cent increase per square inch for foundations. Residents and non-residents currently pay 30 cents per square unit and would be charged 35 cents if approved by city council.
"This proposed raise is nominal compared to what other cemeteries charge," said Board President Warren Tatter.
The board also reviewed a proposed 2009 cemetery budget that the city council will review.
Heagy said the cemetery will ask for an employee wage increase, fuel increase for its equipment and is looking to purchase a pickup truck for grounds maintenance, replace a mower and plans to upgrade its computer system.
Heagy said the new road on the east side of the cemetery is open and four lots have been sold.
He reported there were 19 lots sold and 18 burials in June.
There were 11 deeds signed during the meeting.
Board members are Tatter, Don Bixel, Lewis Dobbins, Ellen Hoffer and Jeff Grose.
