16-242. Cemeteries; maintenance; funds; how used.

(1) A city of the first class may survey, plat, map, grade, fence, ornament, and otherwise improve all burial and cemetery grounds and avenues leading thereto owned by such city. It may construct walks, rear and protect ornamental trees therein, and provide for paying the expenses thereof.

(2) After the burial and cemetery grounds are fully paid for, the city may set aside the proceeds of the sale of lots as a perpetual fund to be invested as provided by ordinance. The income from the fund may be used for the general care, management, maintenance, improvement, beautifying, and welfare of the cemetery. The principal of the perpetual fund may be used for the general care, management, maintenance, improvement, beautifying, and welfare of the cemetery as long as no more than twenty percent of the principal is so used in any fiscal year and no more than forty percent of the principal is so used in any period of ten consecutive fiscal years. The principal of the perpetual fund may also be used for the purchase and development of additional land to be used for cemetery purposes as long as no more than twenty-five percent of the principal is so used in any fiscal year and no more than thirty-five percent of the principal is so used in any period of ten consecutive fiscal years.

(3) The city may receive money by donation, bequest, or otherwise for credit to the perpetual fund to be invested as provided by ordinance or as conditioned by the donor. The income therefrom may be used for the general care, management, maintenance, improvement, beautifying, and welfare of the cemetery as the donor may designate. The principal therefrom may be used for the general care, management, maintenance, improvement, beautifying, and welfare of the cemetery as the donor may designate as long as no more than twenty percent of the principal is so used in any fiscal year and no more than forty percent of the principal is so used in any period of ten consecutive fiscal years. The principal therefrom may also be used for the purchase and development of additional land to be used for cemetery purposes as the donor may designate as long as no more than twenty-five percent of the principal is so used in any fiscal year and no more than thirty-five percent of the principal is so used in any period of ten consecutive fiscal years.

(4) The city treasurer shall be the custodian of such funds, and the same shall be invested by a board composed of the mayor, city treasurer, and city clerk.

(5) This section does not limit the use of any money that comes to the city by donation, bequest, or otherwise that is not designated to be credited to the perpetual fund or that allows greater use for purchase or development of additional land to be used for cemetery purposes.

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