By TERRY PUGH
Warman City Council approved second and third reading of a new Cemeteries Bylaw at its regular meeting on Monday, September 14.
The new bylaw had previously received first reading at a council meeting on August 24.
The bylaw contains several revisions aimed at clarifying cemetery regulations and operational practices, as well as improving record-keeping.
But the biggest change is an increase in service fees.
The goal, according to a city administration report at the September 14 council meeting, is to enable the city to break even on the operations and maintenance of its two cemeteries.
Currently, there is a shortfall between cemetery revenues and expenditures.
“The proposed fee increases are expected to improve cost recovery for cemetery operations, interment services, and long-term maintenance obligations while reducing the degree to which these costs are subsidized through general municipal revenues,” stated the report. “As cemetery services are provided on an as-needed basis, the overall financial impact will vary from year to year depending on the number and type of plot purchases, interments, niche sales, and related services. While no significant increase in annual revenue can be guaranteed, the proposed fee schedule is expected to better align revenues with the cost of providing cemetery services and maintaining the City’s perpetual care responsibilities.”
Under the new bylaw, the fee for a non-resident traditional interment will increase by $200 from $1,400 to $1,600. A traditional interment for a resident will also increase by $200, from $1,000 to $1,200.
Non-resident cremation service fees will rise by $200 from $1,000 to $1,200, while resident cremation fees will increase from $600 to $800.
Traditional grave excavation fees will rise from $1,500 to $1,900.
Cremation grave excavation fees, currently set at $500 to $600, will rise to $700.
Currently, columbarium fees for both residents and non-residents of Warman are set at between $1,377 and $1,620. Under the new bylaw, columbarium fees for non-residents will be set at $2,400 and for residents at $2,000.
CONFIRMATION OF CITY MANAGER APPOINTMENT
At its September 14 meeting, Warman City Council voted unanimously in favour of a motion to confirm the appointment of Amanda Rosenthal-Hiebert.
Rosenthal-Hiebert was selected as City Manager in June, 2025 and has served in that capacity since then. However, a formal resolution by city council confirming the appointment could not be located in the minutes of city council, according to an administration report to the September 14 meeting.
The resolution confirming the appointment was needed in order to ensure the city’s official records clearly and formally document the appointment.
The City Manager is the senior administrative officer for the municipality and is responsible for carrying out the duties assigned under the provincial Cities Act, city bylaws, council direction and applicable policies.
TRADITIONS STAGE 4 ZONING, SERVICING AGREEMENT APPROVED
City Council also voted to approve second and third readings of a bylaw to rezone the parcel of land designated for the Traditions Stage 4 housing development from UH – Urban Holdings to R2 – Residential and R2-T Residential. Council had earlier given first reading to the bylaw at its meeting on August 24.
Council also approved the Traditions Stage 4 Development and Servicing Agreement between the city and KH Developments.
The Traditions Stage 4 subdivision will contain a mix of housing options ranging from single-family residential to semi-detached residential. However, no multi-family units are included in the plan.