Submitted by Ari Larson, President Elect

Scott’s program was on the Bardsdale Cemetery, which was formed by the people, in 1895. It is an independent Special District separate from the City or County, governed by a five member Board, of local residents, appointed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. Scott stated that people are unprepared for what they want when they pass away. There are many options now for burial traditional, stacking, in-ground cremations and niche wall. Plots can also be purchased ahead of time.

Bardsdale Cemetery is not funded by the state, county or by the city of Fillmore, but is primarily funded through burial fees, which are declining and supplemented through a small portion of local property taxes and a special $5 annual parcel tax approved by the voters in 1981 and has never been increased. In order to continue operating and maintaining this cemetery, as it has in the past, the cemetery district considered proposing a new ballot measure, but prior to that a survey was taken, by voters within his district and a majority said they didn’t want a higher tax. So until this can happen the cemetery will continue on as best they can and people who complain about things there need to realize why it’s the way it is.