Staff clarifies cemetery donation is a pass-through; Ballinger does not retain funds

During the budget presentation, staff clarified how the cemetery donation line works in the draft budget. Lindsay said the donation is a revenue item that the city collects only to pass through to the Ballinger Cemetery Association and that the city does not retain any portion of those funds.

"City of Ballinger does not keep any of that," Lindsay said, explaining the city will collect the donation amount and disburse it in full. She added that residents can opt out by completing the required paperwork and that the revenue line is therefore a wash on the city’s books (collected and paid out).

Council members asked who currently manages the cemetery donation distribution; staff said prior volunteers (Brian, John referenced) had a role and that staff will confirm current management and documentation.