John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
Amid continuing budget discussion at the Greenville Town Hall, a hot button issue is returning to the board during a special meeting/budget workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m.
During the first half of the two-part council meeting, a proposed resolution placing a moratorium of Evergreen Cemetery plot sales – in other words, suspending the sale of plots – will be discussed and potentially acted upon. The resolution would still call for the maintenance, upkeep and maintaining of insurance though plot sales would be ceased until further direction if the proposed resolution is passed.
The proposed resolution says that "the Town Council of the Town of Greenville, Florida, estimates that the costs associated with the maintenance, upkeep and insurance for Evergreen Cemetery exceeds revenue generated." During a Greenville budget hearing at the beginning of September, the town is budgeting for an anticipated revenue of $1,000 from the cemetery plot sales, though the town sold less plots in the previous fiscal year, equating to less than $1,000.
In June, Evergreen Cemetery was brought to the board by Mayor Brittni Brown, who noted the agenda item initially stemmed from complaints from "very upset" individuals who were under the impression that members of the Greenville Public Works department allegedly damaged graveside items of Memoriam during their routine upkeep, a service which public works director Wayne Malone stated occurs once every week to two weeks. However, she addressed a concern during that meeting that she said "spiraled" out of the priority of her agenda item to update policies and procedures.
"I think there was something put out about the council wanting to raid the city cemetery fund, place it in our general fund, so since those things kind of spiraled out of me asking for this item to be put on the agenda, then I just dove right in and said, 'Let's deal with it,'" Mayor Brown added.
Full details on Monday, June 11, meeting may be found here (add a hyperlink: https://www.greenepublishing.com/digging-up-options-cemeterys-future-discussed/)
Evergreen Cemetery, located along US E Hwy. 90 in Greenville, has been the final resting place for generations of Greenville residents since 1913. It is known to be the first public cemetery as other cemeteries were private or owned by local churches.
To join the meeting, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86282458563, using meeting ID No. 862-8245-8563. Interested parties may call in by dialing 1 (301) 715-8592.