The cost of living rises almost every day in Douglas. So has the cost of dying.

Two Douglas residents complained Wednesday to the Douglas City Council about the sharp increase in the cost of burial plots.

One man told the council that a war veteran had to be buried in Phoenix because the cost to buy a plot in Douglas nearly doubled. Although the veteran was buried for free at a veterans’ cemetery in Phoenix, his wishes were to be buried in Douglas. The cost made it impossible for veterans who are in fixed, he said, to be buried here.

A second Douglas man said he had paid $400 for a plot at the Calvary Cemetery. After receiving his canceled checking saying all was paid in full, he then received a bill on the remainder of the cost of the plot, reflecting the new cost.  He said he had bought the plot before the rise in fees took effect. He said he won’t accept a refund nor is he returning the plot to the city.

Because of water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, the City has approved ordinance 08-923, which increases water connections fees.

For a _ inch connection the one-time cost will rise to $1,500. For a one-inch connection, the cost will be $3,700.

Fees will also increase for solid waste and disposal. The Council approved ordinance 8-946, which increases fees for commercial and residential structures.

Currently, the base solid waste disposal charge for residential and multi-family with an individual meter is $10.75. The ordinance proposes an increase to $15.50 for the first year in 2008. In the second year, the fee would increase to $18.50. By the third year, in 2010, the cost for solid waste disposal would be $20.

The fee for commercial entities is currently $20.20. The cost will rise to $29 for the first year; $35 for the second year and $37.50 for the third year.

In other action the council approved:

√ Ordinance 08-944, which amends The City of Douglas’ personnel rules and regulations.

√ Ordinance 08-947, which relates to rental fees for the activities hall at the country club. The fee to rent the hall for Friday or Saturday will be $500; $150 for Sundays through Thursdays. For the hall and the patio, the fee will be $550 for Friday or Saturday; $200 for Sundays through Thursdays. The fee does not include a $75 cleanup fee. A $100 deposit is required to reserve the facility and a two-week written cancellation policy will be enforced. Proper cancellation will receive 50 percent refund; inadequate cancellation will forfeit the deposit.

The City Manager also has the discretion to fully or partially waive rental fees or clean up fees for governmental agencies, educational, civic groups or clubs, non-profit organizations and special community events.

√ First reading of ordinance 08-950, which deletes a parenthesized acronym from the Magistrate Enhancement Fund. The incorrect acronym (JCEF) caused confusion at the state level as it relates to deposit of fees and needs to be corrected by deleting it.

√ First reading of ordinance 08-952, which rezones about 2.2 acres of property located west of Washington Avenue and north of SR80. The ordinance rezones it from single family residential, 32 square feet, to mobile home residential.

√ Resolution 08-577, which approves an application for economic strength project programs grant funds from the Arizona Department of Commerce and allocation of up to $167,500 of in-kind matching funds.

√ Resolution 08-578, which authorizes the submission of an application for state housing funds through the home investment partnership program.

√ Resolution 08-579, which authorizes the execution of a grant from the 100 Club of Arizona for $8,948.75 to buy anti-ballistic vests for paramedics to use in dangerous situations.

√ Resolution 08-580, which authorizes a state of Arizona Department of Homeland Security sub grantee agreement for a grant of $85,000 to buy a trailer type vehicle for air and lighting equipment for the Douglas Fire Department.

√ Resolution 08-581, which grants APS an easement for installation and maintenance of electrical lines at the Old Bayless building.

Resolution 08-583, which supports the establishment of a regional enterprise zone within Cochise County.

Item tables, No Action Taken

√ Tabled first reading of ordinance 08-949, which amends a code relating to dog nuisance.

√ No action was taken on first reading of reorganization of various departments and reclassification of positions.