Patricia Drollinger, Chairperson
Terry Smith (Forest Home Twp.) Helen Schuckel (Village Council)
Members Present: Drollinger, Smith, Schuckel
Others Present: Stead, Person, Odom, Gary Mortensen
Call to Order: Chairperson Drollinger called Meeting to order at 10:07 AM
Approval of Agenda:
Motion by Schuckel, seconded by Smith to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by voice vote.
Approval of Minutes –
Motion by Smith, seconded by Schuckel to approve the May 25, 2006 minutes as presented. Motion carried by voice vote.
Old Business
Cemetery Rates – Person presented the current budget as well as last years. Drollinger indicated the change in rates was due to the deficient in the budget. Gary M. has some concerns about the large raise in rates all at one time, for the general public. Most cemeteries raise a small amount over the years, and he felt we should back off and raise slowly. He is referring to the grave openings. Gary said we are higher than everyone else. Both entities pay ½ of the operating lost and they are looking at getting the lost down, so the budgets can handle it. It is crazy to raise all at once. (more discussion, entire discussion is on tape) Gary asked about more cemetery property, and the committee is not interested. He feels that you should take all your parks and close them also. It seems strange that most grave openings are $350 but you all went to $500 and he feels that is wrong. Smith agrees it is a service, but to buy more land and lose more money it isn’t going to happen. Grave openings on Sunday, and we are going to allow it but we don’t do many. Openings after 4:00 PM would mean a burial at 2:00 PM. Gary asked about subbing out the grave openings, and they could be done cheaper. Gary said you are losing money, get it done cheaper and let someone else do it. When a person goes into a nursing home, the State says to prepay your funeral. They have to guarantee the costs, and they can’t raise them. When we raise this much, they are losing money. Committee agreed that if Gary sent us a list, we would be willing to lock in the grave opening site for those pre-paid for the future. He has never seen a cemetery raise their rates this much in 30 years.
New Business- None
Communication/Informational - None
Member/Public Comment- None
Adjourn- Meeting adjourned at 10:55 AM with a call to the Chairperson