Jefferson County Cemetery Board: Difference between revisions

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The '''Jefferson County Cemetery Board''' is an appointed board which oversees all cemeteries in [[Jefferson County]].
The '''Jefferson County Cemetery Board''' is a regulatory authority charged with hearing complaints of negligent management and neglect of for-profit cemeteries, and to impose fines or declare derelict properties to be public nuisances as warranted. The board can file lawsuits against negligent owners, and arrange for inmate labor from the [[Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]] to improve nuisance properties. Church and family-owned cemeteries are exempt from the board's oversight.


The board was created by state legislation in June [[2017]]. The initial seven board members were appointed in February [[2018]]. The Jefferson County Senate delegation appointed citizens [[Loretta Knight]], [[Evelyn Boykin]], and [[Connie Goldsby]]. The state house of representatives delegation appointed funeral directors [[Korey Hameen]] and [[Venus Smith]], attorney [[Hannah Thompson]], and consultant [[Randy Matthews]].
A [[2002]] state law requires the owners of actively-used cemeteries and burial plots to register with the [[Alabama Department of Insurance]] and to establish an endowment care fund with a percentage of revenues generated from the sale of plots and mausoleum and columbarium spaces.


In [[2016]], [[Birmingham City Council]]or [[William Parker]] reached out to [[Alabama House of Representatives|state representatives]] [[Juandalynn Givan]] and [[Mary Moore]] to draft legislation that would give [[Birmingham]] and Jefferson County to authority to establish a cemetery board to oversee for-profit cemeteries. Governor [[Kay Ivey]] signed the legislation into law in June [[2017]].
In [[2016]], [[Birmingham City Council]]or [[William Parker]] reached out to state representatives [[Juandalynn Givan]] and [[Mary Moore]] to draft legislation that would give [[Birmingham]] and Jefferson County to authority to establish a cemetery board to oversee for-profit cemeteries. [[List of Governors of Alabama|Governor]] [[Kay Ivey]] signed the legislation into law in June [[2017]]. The first slate of board members was appointed by the [[Jefferson County Legislative Delegation]] in February [[2018]].


The board investigates complaints from the public concerning cemeteries, and supervises the cleanup and maintenance of any neglected for-profit cemetery in the county, by coordinating with the [[Jefferson County Sheriff]]'s Office to provide inmate labor of any cemetery deemed a public nuisance, determined through a hearing. The board also has the power to file lawsuits against cemetery owners. The board is independent and does not fall under the [[Jefferson County Commission]]. Cemeteries owned by religious organizations and private families are exempt from board oversight.
The board is independent and does not report to the [[Jefferson County Commission]]. The Cemetery Board's members serve as volunteers, but are eligible for reimbursement of actual expenses of attending quarterly meetings and conducting the board's work. Its activities are funded by an earmark from the sale of pistol permits in Jefferson County.


The board is funded by revenue from pistol permits allocated to Jefferson County.
As of December [[2020]], board member Randy Matthews stated that the board had not met and had not fielded complaints, which were still going to the city council. Councilor Parker stated at the time he was working with state legislators and hoped to have the board fulfilling its assigned duties during [[2021]]. Revisions to the method of appointing members, alternating the selection of chair between the House and Senate, were passed during the [[2021 Alabama legislative session‎]].  


As of December [[2020]], board member Randy Matthews stated that the board had not met and had not fielded complaints, which were still going to the city council. Councilor Parker stated at the time he was working with state legislators and hoped to have the board fulfilling its assigned duties during [[2021]].
==Members==
* [[Connie Goldsby]]
* [[Loretta Knight]]
* [[Evelyn Boykin]]
* [[Korey Hameen]]
* [[Venus Smith]]
* [[Hannah Thompson]]
* [[Randy Matthews]]


==References==
==References==
* Edgemon, Erin (October 24, 2016) "Abandoned and neglected cemeteries a problem in Birmingham." {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (December 22, 2016) "The way Jefferson County cemeteries are regulated could change in 2017." {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (June 1, 2017) "Gov. Ivey signs bill creating Jefferson County Cemetery Board: What happens next?" {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (June 1, 2017) "Gov. Ivey signs bill creating Jefferson County Cemetery Board: What happens next?" {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (February 15, 2018) "Residents appointed to Jefferson County cemetery complaint board." {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (February 15, 2018) "Residents appointed to Jefferson County cemetery complaint board." {{BN}}
* Gauntt, Joshua (December 7, 2020) "[https://www.wbrc.com/2020/12/07/your-side-three-years-later-jefferson-county-cemetery-board-still-hasnt-met/ On Your Side: Three years later, Jefferson County cemetery board still hasn’t met]." WBRC
* Gauntt, Joshua (December 7, 2020) "[https://www.wbrc.com/2020/12/07/your-side-three-years-later-jefferson-county-cemetery-board-still-hasnt-met/ On Your Side: Three years later, Jefferson County cemetery board still hasn’t met]." WBRC


[[Category:2017 establishments]]
[[Category:Public authorities]]
[[Category:Jefferson County government]]
[[Category:2018 establishments]]
[[Category:Jefferson County cemeteries]]
[[Category:Jefferson County cemeteries|Cemetery Board]]

Latest revision as of 09:51, 9 April 2021

The Jefferson County Cemetery Board is a regulatory authority charged with hearing complaints of negligent management and neglect of for-profit cemeteries, and to impose fines or declare derelict properties to be public nuisances as warranted. The board can file lawsuits against negligent owners, and arrange for inmate labor from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to improve nuisance properties. Church and family-owned cemeteries are exempt from the board's oversight.

A 2002 state law requires the owners of actively-used cemeteries and burial plots to register with the Alabama Department of Insurance and to establish an endowment care fund with a percentage of revenues generated from the sale of plots and mausoleum and columbarium spaces.

In 2016, Birmingham City Councilor William Parker reached out to state representatives Juandalynn Givan and Mary Moore to draft legislation that would give Birmingham and Jefferson County to authority to establish a cemetery board to oversee for-profit cemeteries. Governor Kay Ivey signed the legislation into law in June 2017. The first slate of board members was appointed by the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation in February 2018.

The board is independent and does not report to the Jefferson County Commission. The Cemetery Board's members serve as volunteers, but are eligible for reimbursement of actual expenses of attending quarterly meetings and conducting the board's work. Its activities are funded by an earmark from the sale of pistol permits in Jefferson County.

As of December 2020, board member Randy Matthews stated that the board had not met and had not fielded complaints, which were still going to the city council. Councilor Parker stated at the time he was working with state legislators and hoped to have the board fulfilling its assigned duties during 2021. Revisions to the method of appointing members, alternating the selection of chair between the House and Senate, were passed during the 2021 Alabama legislative session‎.

Members

References

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