331.325 - CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE OF PIONEER CEMETERIES -- CEMETERY COMMISSION. - Iowa Statutes

331.325 CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE OF PIONEER CEMETERIES -- CEMETERY COMMISSION. 1. As used in this section, "pioneer cemetery" means a cemetery where there have been twelve or fewer burials in the preceding fifty years. 2. Each county board of supervisors may adopt an ordinance assuming jurisdiction and control of pioneer cemeteries in the county. The board shall exercise the powers and duties of township trustees relating to the maintenance and repair of cemeteries in the county as provided in sections 359.28 through 359.40 except that the board shall not certify a tax levy pursuant to section 359.30 or 359.33 and except that the maintenance and repair of all cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the county including pioneer cemeteries shall be paid from the county general fund. The maintenance and improvement program for a pioneer cemetery may include restoration and management of native prairie grasses and wildflowers. 3. In lieu of management of the cemeteries, the board of supervisors may create, by ordinance, a cemetery commission to assume jurisdiction and management of the pioneer cemeteries in the county. The ordinance shall delineate the number of commissioners, the appointing authority, the term of office, officers, employees, organizational matters, rules of procedure, compensation and expenses, and other matters deemed pertinent by the board. The board may delegate any power and duties relating to cemeteries which may otherwise be exercised by township trustees pursuant to sections 359.28 through 359.40 to the cemetery commission except the commission shall not certify a tax levy pursuant to section 359.30 or 359.33 and except that the expenses of the cemetery commission shall be paid from the county general fund. 4. Notwithstanding sections 359.30 and 359.33, the costs of management, repair, and maintenance of pioneer cemeteries shall be paid from the county general fund.          Section History: Recent Form 96 Acts, ch 1182, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 128, §1; 2009 Acts, ch 132, §3 Referred to in § 331.424B, 359.28, 459.102