Title
A Resolution Repealing Resolution No. 71-24 and Establishing Fees and Charges for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Cemetery Enterprise for 2026
Presenter:
Kim King, Assistant Director - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Cheryl Godbout, Cemetery Operations Manager
Body
Summary:
The Cemetery Enterprise is recommending fees and charges for the 2026 calendar year that pertain to its operation of Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries. Periodically, the Enterprise needs to adjust fees and charges to address increases in the cost of doing business. The attached proposed fee schedule (Exhibit A) highlights the proposed increase for 2026. Per City Code 14.2.304, Cemetery Enterprise fees and charges must be approved by City Council via resolution.
Background:
The City of Colorado Springs owns two cemeteries, Evergreen and Fairview. The cemeteries are enterprise operations and, as such, revenues must cover expenses and add to the Enterprise fund balance when feasible. As the cost of providing cemetery services and meeting perpetual care responsibilities increases over time, the Enterprise must adjust fees and charges to continue to cover the costs of operations.
The proposed fee schedule aligns with the City’s Revenue Policy and User Fee Policy, ensuring that the Cemetery Enterprise is collecting fees at an appropriate cost recovery level. The proposed 2026 fee schedule reflects an estimated 91% cost recovery of all operational expenses before endowment support. With the addition of endowment funds, cost recovery will meet or exceed 100%. Staff analyzes the demand for services, as well as periodically compares pricing within the local market, to determine pricing levels.
The proposed fees and charges for 2026 are included in Exhibit A. The new proposed fee is highlighted in green.
Previous Council Action:
City Council approved revisions to the Cemetery Enterprise’s fees and charges by Resolution No. 71-24 with an effective date of January 1, 2025.
Financial Implications:
The proposed fee schedule, with the additional proposed fee, will generate approximately $50,000 in additional revenue based on the same level of business as occurred in 2024.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
A presentation was made to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board on May 8, 2025, for initial feedback. The final proposed fees and charges were recommended to City Council by the Parks Board at their June 12, 2025, meeting.
Stakeholder Process:
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board meetings serve as an opportunity for the public to comment upon proposed changes. There were no citizen comments regarding the proposal during the meetings.
Alternatives:
1. Pass the resolution as recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Board.
2. Pass the resolution with changes.
3. Do not pass the resolution.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move to approve a resolution rescinding Resolution No. 71-24 and establishing fees and charges for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Cemetery Enterprise for 2026 as outlined in the attached Exhibit A.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A