Though some councillors are concerned with rising costs, new fees for cemeteries and the building department were adopted on Jan. 21 as part of overall changes to municipal fees and services.
On Dec. 17, council approved the overall shift in fees in services, but deferred a decision regarding changes in 2013 cemetery fees and charges.
On Monday, councillors reviewed updated information from CFO/treasurer Wes Snarr. In his report, Snarr recommended the township amend the bylaw in addition to a minor change in building department fees.
Snarr’s analysis included the two active cemeteries of Belsyde (Fergus) and Elora, as well as rural cemeteries for which there is no cost recovery.
He said direct costs represent the hourly labour, machine time, services, material and repair/maintenance costs of the active cemeteries.
Indirect costs include payroll for administration and supervision.
“While revenues are at a level that covers the direct costs of the cemetery operations, the total costs including the indirect costs, are not fully funded. This leaves a net expense funded by taxation,” said Snarr.
He pointed out, “Cemeteries are not a service that municipalities are mandated to provide. In many communities, the service is provided by the private sector.
“As long as Centre Wellington chooses to continue providing this service, each plot sold is a plot that needs to be replaced. Without a contribution from each sale towards the cost of replacing the plot sold, future cemetery expansions will be funded entirely from general taxation.”
Councillor Mary Lloyd, who had questioned the cemetery fees at the December meeting, again questioned the need for the increase.
She said that between 2010 and 2013 the township had more than doubled the costs for adult single and adult double plot costs [for burials].
Lloyd then restated comments that the death benefits from the Canada Pension Plan have not increased at the same rate as the township fees.
“While I can appreciate the funeral directors are not making comment on this, they are just the conduit for the message from person who needs it to the person who is selling it.
“I am really quite concerned that we have done this in such short order, to such a magnitude [in its effect to the public].”
At the same time, Lloyd understood there are significant costs to maintain those areas.
“I can fully appreciate that, but it costs a lot to maintain our parks as well.”
She anticipated this change in fees will cause a significant burden to the users.
“I am not going to vote in favour of this increase.”
Snarr pointed out that those using the cemeteries are not necessarily residents of Centre Wellington Township.
He said the issue is about funding future cemetery expansion and who is going to pay for it.
He said as long as the township remains in the business of running cemeteries, each plot used must also be replaced.
Snarr contended that without increased fees, future cemetery expansions would have to be funded through taxation.
Councillor Kelly Linton said direction has been provided to council in the past, that fees need to pay for expenses.
He commented the spreadsheets provided to council indicate fees are getting closer to covering the expenses.
“If that is the direction we are providing across the board, then we have to account for the costs so they are not included in the general tax rate.”
However, Linton did express concern in the increased expenses from 2004 to 2012.
“I want a little bit of an explanation as to why these expenses are higher.”
Councillor Walt Visser said it is more expense to bury people today than previously.
He pointed to the foundations laid for the headstones – to reduce vandalism and maintenance costs.
In addition, concrete crypts are now required as part of the burial process.
Linton then specified that his question was what had changed between 2004 and 2012.
Director of infrastructure Colin Baker believed a large portion of the increase was due to maintenance of the chapels at the Elora and Belsyde cemeteries.
“They are getting quite old and are in a pretty poor state of repair and because of that are very expensive to repair.”
Linton however suggested those are capital costs and the discussion was about operating costs.
He said operating expenses in Fergus had increased by 25% while costs in Elora were up 40%.
CAO Andy Goldie agreed recent repairs were in the capital budget.
As to the operating increases, Goldie said Baker has not been in his role long enough to know some of the reason behind the operating increases.
But Goldie was certain Baker could find out that information for council.
Snarr said that maintenance costs also depend on seasonal weather.
“There are a number of factors.”
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen agreed with Lloyd’s sentiments in terms of rising costs.
“What is bothersome is that council certainly wants cost recovery, but I see this is as mandatory within our community.”
At the same time, he did not see these types of increases to Sports fields or theatres which both lose money.”
Those, he saw as more optional.
He said those program are losing money “yet we are unwilling to lose a little bit of money to let residents be buried in their home town.”
VanLeeuwen said he was willing to support this particular increase to meet cost recovery, but did not intend to support any large future increases to those fees.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said this increase is simply that, a move forward.
She noted “we do not have to provide burial facilities in this municipality, but we have chosen to do that.”
Ross-Zuj said many years ago council realized it had to start getting up to speed to prepare for the expansion ahead.
Another part of the costs, she said, is the repair of older tombstones.
“We’re very proud of our cemeteries and get numerous compliments on how they are maintained and the steps to creative very attractive passive parks for people to come visit.”
She also said she believed this was the last of the “big jumps” for some time to create sustainability for the service.
Councillor Kirk McElwain said that while there are expenses, “I’m just not sure we need to make it all up in one year. It’s a significant hike for one year.”
As the votes were taken, council pass a bylaw repealing 12-105 to establish fees and charges for various municipalities and repeal bylaw 2011-086 and its amendments by replacing the schedule of fees for cemeteries and the building department.
