The Athens City Council has softened its stance on cemetery lot cost increases and garbage can restrictions.

The council introduced ordinances on both issues at its July 25 meeting, but Council President Ronnie Marks asked for both measures to be re-introduced in amended form, both to lessen the increase on lot prices and to ease restrictions on garbage can fines.

The original ordinance introduced by the council would have a lot of eight graves in the city increasing from $2,000 to $3,000. Under the amended ordinance, the cost of an eight-grave lot is $2,400. However, the increase for grave openings would stand.

The charge to open and close a grave was $175 before 3 p.m. and $200 on weekends and after 3 p.m. For cremations and babies, the cost was $87.50 before 3 p.m. and $100 on weekends and after 3 p.m.

Fees are now $400 for adult graves and $200 for infant graves and cremations. Infants are babies under age 2.

The measure was not without controversy. Councilman Harold Wales voted against any lot or grave-opening fee increases.

“In the long run, it will cost taxpayers more money,” said Wales. “I just don’t see the need of it. We’re not hurting for finances. We’re going up $400 on an eight-grave lot and I don’t see the need when we’ve increased the cost on everything else.”

Councilman Johnny Crutcher, who is a former city cemeteries manager, said the last increase on lot prices was in 1988 while he headed the department.

“The cost of everything else has gone up,” said Crutcher. “If we keep increasing salaries, somebody has got to pay. We can’t keep giving a free ride.”

Marks called it a “minor issue” and Mayor Dan Williams mentioned that the increase wouldn’t go into effect until Oct. 1, so residents can take advantage of the lower prices until then.

In the end the ordinance passed 3-to-1. Councilman Jimmy Gill was absent due to illness.

In the other ordinance amendment, the city is imposing a $50 fine for leaving a garbage can out past midnight on the day of pickup.

Marks said that is a state law, so there isn’t anything the city can do to change it, but the city did extend the times that a can could sit beside the road. The window was from 6 p.m. to midnight, but under the amended ordinance, residents can take their cans to the roadside as early as late afternoon and leave them there to 8 a.m.

“No one is going to be out riding the streets at midnight to see if garbage cans are taken in,” said Marks.