A proposal to increase fees at Maple Grove Cemetery is on the agenda of this evening’s regular meeting of the Seminole City Council.

According to the meeting packet, the proposal was put on the agenda at the request of Public Works Director Bryant Baker.

If approved, the rate schedule will be amended as follows, effective Aug. 1, 2020:

Gravesite (25% of fee applied to perpetual care account): $450

Grave opening (weekdays): $400

Grave opening (weekends and city holidays): $500

Grave opening (weekends and city holidays after 12 noon): $600

Disinterment: $400

Cremation (weekday): $200

Cremation (weekends and city holidays: $250

Double cremation (same space): $200 per opening

Headstone setting: $25

Headstone vault: $225

Under the proposal, gravesite fees would increase by 80 percent, but Baker said Seminole’s rates would still be in line with what other cemeteries charge.

“The proposed cemetery fees are still lower than most cemeteries in the area,” Baker stated in a letter included with Tuesday’s meeting packet.

The city currently charges $250 for a gravesite, $250 for grave openings on weekdays ($350 on weekends), $300 for disinterment and $100 for cremation ($150 on weekends).

A public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2021- 2022 budget for the city and its associated authorities is also on the meeting agenda. The council will consider adopting the budget during the “resolutions” portion of the meeting.

The council will also entertain a bid from Kevin Hardeman, owner of Simply Stylin’ Barber Shop, to purchase a surplus parcel of land at 148 N. Main for $100. The land is located next to Hardeman’s shop.

Other business on the agenda includes approval of closing Second Street from Broadway to Osage on June 18 for a library fundraising event and on June 19 for a food truck event. Both events were approved at a special Permit Board meeting on June 1.

The council will also consider the following mayoral board appointments:

Seminole Urban Renewal Authority: Gilbert Reese, Claudia Willis and Rick Geist.

Board of Adjustments: Gary Adams and Mechelle Downey

Planning Commission: David Wilson and Jenny Morgan

Lake Development Commission: Stephany Lambert and Neil Craig

Park Board: Donna Quinality and Matt Gates

Airport Advisory Committee: Mike Hackney and Tim Campbell

A proposed executive session to discuss City Manager Steve Saxon’s salary is also on the agenda. According to Mayor Jeff Griffin, the purpose of the closed session is to provide new council members with details of Saxon’s salary, which is currently $190,160.87 annually. Saxon’s salary is split between the city and the Seminole Economic Development Council.

The meeting is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. in the Goldie Barnett Conference Room of the Seminole Public Library (424 N. Main). Meetings of the Utilities, Gas and Airport Authorities will precede the city council meeting. All the meetings are open to the public.