Commissioner Jamey Gay suggested that the cemetery staff start later in the day, especially since the mowing and maintenance of the cemetery is now done by a private company.
The change in price was suggested by city staff, who were asked to figure out how to recoup some of the cost of operating the cemetery.
Mayor John W.D. Bowling said he favors the staff's suggestion that overtime worked be determined by when the employees clock out.
He suggested that to determine it any other way would not be fair to the taxpayers, who pay for the employees' salary.
City Manager Darrell Blenniss explained that as the policy reads now, a funeral procession could get in the gates at 2:59 p.m. and not pay overtime. Employees get off work at 3 p.m.
Commissioner Terry Crowley suggested that the end of the funeral be determined by when the hearse leaves the gates.
Hamlin said that it doesn't take longer than 10 minutes for city employees to complete the burial after the graveside services conclude.
She said that earlier services are a burden to relatives who come from out of town. She said that although there are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. services, the traditional time for a funeral is 2 p.m. A funeral that starts at 2 p.m. will most likely not be over by 3 p.m., she said.
Burial and cemetery plot costs
Here are the changes to burial and cemetery plot costs:
Bellevue Cemetery plots in sections M, N, O, P and R: for a city resident, $390; for a county resident, $624. In all other sections for a city resident, $325, and for a county resident, $520.
Hilldale Cemetery for a city resident $325 and county resident $520.
Weekday services are $600.
Overtime rate is $150.
Saturday and Sunday services are $1,200. Sunday services require city manager approval.
Tent rental is $150.
Placement of monuments is $32 per square foot.
Corner markers are $20 a piece.
Government markers are $96.
Cremation single lots are $75 for city residents and $125 for county residents. Cremation double lots are $125 for city residents and $200 for county residents.
Bid for mowing OK'd
The city commission also approved a $48,441 bid from Devine Creations to mow the cemeteries for one year. This is the same company that now holds the contract. The budget amount for the contract was $64,000, and so the city has $15,559 left.
Gay and Bowling said they believe the company has done an exemplary job of upkeep at the cemeteries.
