Page 394 - CityofArlingtonFY26AdoptedBudget

Infrastructure

Goal 1: Plan, Manage, and Maintain Public Assets
Objective 2: Maintain City Standards for all Municipal Buildings
Project Performance Measure(s) Department(s)
Core Arlington Cemetery Ordinance Office of Strategic Initiatives,
INF Parks & Recreation
1.2.5
Summary:

The City has owned the Arlington Cemetery since 1995, Milestone Estimated Actual
when the cemetery was declared abandoned. Since then, Completion Completion
regular maintenance and upkeep has been conducted by Conduct GPR May 2024 May 2024
the Parks and Recreation Department; however, the State Replat Cemetery July 2024 Mar. 2025
Health and Safety Code Section 713 has prohibited the Approve Ordinance Aug. 2024 June 2025
sale of new plots. In the 2023 Texas Legislature, HB2371 Ownership Validation Aug. 2024
was enacted, which allows the sale of plots in the Plot Abandonment/ Sept. 2024
Arlington Cemetery, with certain provisions. The Appeal Period
Arlington Cemetery Ordinance project will develop a Procure Cemetery Nov. 2024
formal plan to maintain, operate, and manage the sale of Operator
plots in the Arlington Cemetery. This project has six
milestones: 6. Procure a Cemetery Operator: If the City pursues a
model that involves a third-party operator for portions
1. Identify locations of existing graves, empty graves, of the operations of the cemetery, a procurement
and space available for new plots. A Ground process must be conducted according to the City’s
Penetrating Radar (GPR) investigation to identify procurement policy and the adopted cemetery
occupied gravesites and areas where new plots can ordinance.
be established.
2. File a replat of the property. A new plat will legally Update:
identify plots that can be deeded to new owners The replat was filed in April 2025. The MP Committee met
upon sale of the plots. three times in the 3 Quarter, and the City Council voted to
rd
3. Develop and approve a Cemetery Ordinance and approve the Arlington Cemetery Ordinance in the second
Fee Schedule. An ordinance establishes policy reading on June 24, 2025. Ownership validation began June
related to maintenance, operations, improvements, 2025.
interments, abandonments, abandonment appeals,
record keeping, third-party and non-profit partner
roles, and fees for services.
4. Conduct an ownership validation process. Staff will
make attempts to identify owners to account for
their plots prior to beginning the abandonment and
appeals process using all available records and
contact information.
5. Conduct Cemetery plot abandonment and appeals
period. State law requires a public hearing of plot
abandonment and a 10-day appeals period for
anyone who believes they have rightful ownership
of a plot.

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