Committee advances ordinance to clarify county payments for veterans' graves care

The committee voted May 7 to forward an ordinance to the full county board that clarifies how Richland County will calculate reimbursements for veteran graves care, replacing a 1987 $5‑per‑grave reference and aligning county practice with state statute.

Staff and counsel described the issue as legally and administratively complex because state law requires counties to provide care for certain veteran graves but does not prescribe a precise reimbursement amount. The proposed ordinance contains a formula under which cemeteries that submit operating cost data would receive a per‑veteran‑grave reimbursement calculated from cemetery expenses divided by the relevant number of graves; cemeteries that fail to submit required forms would continue to receive a $5 per‑grave fallback payment.

Supervisors discussed township and cemetery capacity to maintain sites, especially older graves where no family remains to care for markers. One supervisor noted mowing costs for a single township cemetery can exceed $2,500 a year, and members acknowledged townships and volunteer cemetery groups sometimes carry the burden when perpetual‑care funds are absent.

The committee approved moving the ordinance to the full county board for final action.