Agenda 05/26/2009 Item #16E10
Agenda Item No. 16E10
May 26,2009
Page 1 of 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation that the Board direct staff to draft a Resolution for a burial and
cremation policy for unclaimed and indigent deceased in Collier County.
OBJECTIVE: That the Board of County Commissioners give direction to Real Property Management,
Facilities Management, and Housing and Human Services Department staff to draft a Resolution for a
burial and cremation policy for unclaimed and indigent deceased in Collier County,
CONSIDERATIONS: Collier County is required by Chapter 406, Florida Statutes, to provide cremation or
burial services for unclaimed or indigent deceased. There are two funeral homes in Collier County under
contract for professional services on a rotating basis. Annual funeral costs for indigent burials paid for by
Collier County Housing and Human Services and Real Property Management are shown on the chart
below, The County currently offers both burial and cremation options for unclaimed and indigent
deceased, Burials and cremains interments are conducted at the County owned cemetery, Lake Trafford
Memorial Gardens Cemetery, in Immokalee.
Staff members have conducted extensive research regarding the indigent burial practices by other Florida
counties. The resulting information demonstrates that cremation for the indigent is mandated in the
majority of the counties in the state. Those counties include Lee, Charlotte, Dade, Duval, Orange and
Hillsborough,
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Staff is proposing to draft a resolution that reflects a policy to offer cremation only for unclaimed and
indigent deceased in Collier County. Under this new policy, burial will only be utilized for unidentified
indigents as mandated by Court order or by Florida Statutes. Cremation is considered to be a dignified
and viable cost effective alternative for the interment of human remains. Please note that the lifespan of
the cemetery will also be extended by using the proposed policy.
The chart below reflects the fiscal impact on the County if the proposed change is adopted,
Cost by County Cost for Burials Costs if all Burials in Fiscal Impact
Department FY07 -08 FY07 -08 were (savings)
Cremations
Real Property $19,300 0 $19,300
ManaQement
Housing and Human $59,600 $21,600 $38,000
Services
Total Cost $78,900 $21,600 $57,300
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is not quasi-judicial and no ex parte disclosures are required.
This item requires a simple majority vote for approval, and is legally sufficient for Board action. - JW
FISCAL IMPACT: An annual savings of $57,300 to the general fund is projected from adoption of the
proposed Resolution, In addition, the proposed policy change would reduce future impact on Housing
and Human Services and Real Property Management's budgets for indigent burials and cremations and
Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens Cemetery operations.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no impact on the Growth Management Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners directs staff to draft a Resolution
setting forth a policy for cremation for unclaimed and indigent deceased in Collier County, and replacing
any existing conflicting policies.
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PREPARED BY: Gary Bigelow, Property Acquisition Specialist, Real Property Management /
Department of Facilities Management
Page 1 of 1
Agenda Item No. 16E10
May 26,2009
Page 2 of 2
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
16E10
Item Summary:
Recommendation that the Board direct staff to draft a Resolution for a burial and cremation
policy for unclaimed and Indigent deceased in Collier County.
5/26/2009 g:OOOO AM
Meeting Date:
Prepared By
Gary Bigelow
Property Acquisition Specialist
Facilities Management
Date
Administrative Services
5/13/2009 1 :50:51 PM
Approved By
Marcy Krumbine
Public Services
Director
Date
Housing & Human Services
5/13/20094:10 PM
Approved B)'
Toni A. Mott
Administrative Services
Real Property Supervisor
Facilities Management
Date
5/13/20094:32 PM
Approved By
Jeff Wright
County Attorney
Assistant County Attorney
County Attorney Office
Date
5/13/20094:37 PM
Approved By
Skip Camp, C.F.M.
Facilities Management Director
Facilities Management
Date
Administrative Services
5/14/200910:36 AM
Approved By
Jeff Klatzkow
County Attorney
County Attorney
County Attorney Office
Date
5/14/20093:01 PM
Approved By
Len Golden Price
Administrative Services Administrator
Date
Administrative Services
Administrative Services Admin.
5/14/20094:18 PM
Approved By
OMB Coordinator
OMB Coordinator
Date
County Manager's Office
Office of Management & Budget
5/15/2009 9:36 AM
Approved By
Laura Davisson
Management & Budget Analyst
Office of Management & Budget
Date
County Manager's Office
5/15/200910:21 AM
Approved By
Marla Ramsey
Public Services
Public Services Administrator
Date
Public Services Admin.
5/15/200912:13 PM
Approved By
Leo E. Ochs, Jr.
Board of County
Commissioners
Deputy County Manager
Date
County Manager's Office
5/15/20097:51 PM
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