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IM revises cemetery lot prices

IRON MOUNTAIN — The price of single graves at Iron Mountain Cemetery Park will be reduced but a discount for multi-grave purchases will end.

New prices adopted Monday by the city council are designed to keep revenues the same, or slightly higher, under a simplified structure, said City Manager Jordan Stanchina.

Single grave purchases are the practice of other area cemeteries, he added.

Stanchina and Chief Finance Officer Heather Lieburn recommended the city no longer offer a discount for multiple grave purchases. The practice provides no savings for the city and, in fact, makes the need for expansion more likely because some grave spaces go unused.

Effective July 1, the single grave purchase price for residents will be $450, down from $530. The price for non-residents will be $690, down from $770.

Previously, a resident could purchase of full lot of eight graves for $3,120, or $390 per grave, while non-residents could buy a full lot for $4,520, or $565 per grave. There were lesser discounts for smaller multiple purchases.

The city’s general fund subsidized the cemetery this year with a contribution of about $99,000, Stanchina noted.

The new fee schedule includes a $5 increase in burial fees, except for green burials.

Stanchina said resident prices for singles graves at other area cemeteries include Breitung Township, $375; Iron River Township, $430; Norway Township, $500; and Crystal Falls, $650.

In other action, the council:

— Established revised fees for public works, effective July 1. Costs for new large water connections, or taps, will generally rise $100 each. Water meter fees will be based on the actual price of the unit, plus a 10% city administrative fee.

— In a 4-1 vote, approved a $2,000 allocation to the Lake Antoine Association to assist Eurasian milfoil control. The plan is to treat 4.39 acres with the herbicide ProcellaCOR, according to Jeff Jayne, LAA secretary-treasurer. Council member Dave Farragh voted no after it was pointed out Dickinson County Board recently voted 3-2 against a proposed $2,000 contribution. Iron Mountain and Breitung Township have contributed annually, while Dickinson County’s participation has been sporadic.

— Approved 2.75% salary increases for administrative employees and a 5.3% wage increase for part-time firefighters. All of the department heads are at the top of the salary step schedule, except the chief finance officer, who will be advancing to the top step this year. Effective July 1, the annual pay will be: city manager, $95,386; director of police and fire services, $85,946; chief finance officer, $69,228; clerk-treasurer, $60,567, plus a stipend of $3,160 for zoning duties; department of public works supervisor, $72,414. The police department administrative assistant will receive $19.65 per hour and part-time firefighters will be paid $14.47 per hour.

— Renewed an agreement with PJ Kortens Co. of Appleton, Wis., to provide telemetry services for water and sewer systems. The quarterly fee will be $1,445, up from the current $1,270.

— Issued resolutions of appreciation to Cheryl Hart, who served more than 11 years as payroll/accounts payable clerk, and Debbie Tirschel, who served nearly 18 years as utility billing clerk. Both retired in November 2020. They were saluted for their public service and dedication and “extraordinary efforts to make Iron Mountain a better community in which to live.”

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 226 or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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