AGENDA REPORT
DATE: February 23, 2026
TO: City Commission
FROM: Bill McDaniel, City Manager
SUBJECT: Public hearing regarding an amendment to Sec. 22-32 Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to eliminate the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund. By eliminating the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, the City would be able to utilize the fund balance for Cemetery capital projects or any use deemed appropriate by the City Commission.
This fund is not required by Florida State Statute. Currently, all Cemetery lot sales are recorded in this fund. As of September 30, 2025, the fund balance is $2,769,967. To comply with the current ordinance, it would take approximately 58 years to obtain a balance upon which the annual interest earnings would support the operation and maintenance of the cemetery. The City’s current inventory of 279 cemetery spaces will provide additional revenue for four years. If the City purchased five additional acres for $1,750,000 and prepared 2,875 plots to sell, the lots would generate $3,306,250 over time in 44 years. The capital cost would come from the general fund and the sales would be posted to the Perpetual Care Fund. The capital cost would not be recovered and the interest on the balance would not cover the cost of operations.
Some obstacles include securing land in an appropriate location, preparing the land, plotting the spaces, purchasing equipment, and constructing the enhancements.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Commission adopt an ordinance eliminating Sec. 22-32 Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action would result in the transfer of all residual funds to the General Fund.
Prepared by: Julie Garretson, Director of Parks and Recreation