Commission weighs higher cemetery fees to reduce property-tax support

Staff told the commission cemetery rates in Hills Lake are low compared with peer communities and recommended rate increases so the cemetery would rely less on property-tax support. Rob (speaker 2) said he reduced the cemetery contribution in his revenue model as part of the updated general fund numbers.

A staff member (speaker 4) said increasing cemetery fees would allow the commission to lower the property-tax mill contribution that currently offsets cemetery operating costs. “Our cemetery rates are very low in comparison to others,” staff said, and noted the last rate-setting occurred some years ago. Commissioners asked staff to return with specific fee-change proposals and revenue estimates before the final budget vote.