Parks department proposes cemetery fee increase to offset rising maintenance and historic‑building costs

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff presented a resolution repealing an earlier resolution and establishing fees and charges for the Parks Cemetery Enterprise for 2026, including a single new fee increase described as covering deed production/administration costs.

Kim King, assistant director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, and Cheryl Gadbo(t) (spelling per packet: Cheryl Godbout), cemetery administrator, said Fairview and Evergreen cemeteries operate as an enterprise (revenue‑supported, not tax‑supported). Gadbout said interment levels have stabilized since a COVID‑era spike, but the cemetery now sees more cremation interments than burials; cremation interments typically generate less than half the revenue of full burials. At the same time, she said expenses (water, mowing, tree maintenance, payroll and historic building repairs) have continued to rise.

Gadbout described Evergreen Cemetery as listed on the National Register of Historic Places and said upkeep obligations (chapel, historic monuments, coping walls, trees) are producing increasing maintenance demand. Staff indicated the proposed administrative deed fee would generate roughly $50,000 annually and that broader fee adjustments across cemetery services are being planned for 2026 to address continuing revenue shortfalls while trying to keep cremation pricing accessible.

Council members questioned staffing, the effect of Pikes Peak National Cemetery openings (which provide free burial for many veterans), and the balance between maintaining historic assets and keeping services affordable. Gadbout said staffing has remained relatively stable (five maintenance staff plus office staff; mowing outsourced) though the loss of a prisoner‑work program required hiring additional help. She said cemetery staff are pursuing grants and donations but rely primarily on enterprise revenue.

No council votes occurred at the work session. Staff indicated the resolution and fee schedule will return for formal action as required by Chapter 14 (cemetery enterprise fees require council resolution).