Show All Answers

1. What is the cost of a burial plot?

Regular grave spaces are $350.  There are additional charges for opening and closing. Refer to question 2 for details.

Baby mound space w/opening and closing is $250.00.

 All grave spaces can be paid for at the City Clerk’s office at 811 W. Laurel.

2. What are the burial fees at Mt. Hope Cemetery?

Chapter 22. Cemeteries (updated 2023)

(1) Opening and closing graves, including pre-needs.

a. Opening and closing, adult, weekdays. .....$350.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

b. Opening and closing, adult, Saturdays. .....$600.00

c. Opening and closing, adult, Sundays and holidays. .....$1,500.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

d. Opening and closing, infant, weekdays. .....$250.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

e. Opening and closing, infant, Saturdays. .....$350.00

f. Opening and closing, infant,, Sundays and Holidays. .....$400.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

g. Crypt opening and closing, adult or infant, weekdays. .....$350.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

h. Crypt Opening and closing, adult or infant, Saturdays and holidays. .....$600.00

i. Crypt Opening and closing, adult or infant, Sundays and holidays. .....$1,000.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

j. Cremation, adult or infant, weekdays. .....$250.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

k. Cremation, adult or infant, Saturdays. .....$350.00

l. Cremation, adult or infant, Sundays and holidays. .....$400.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

m. Disinterment. .....$1,250.00

n. Pre-needs, Saturdays and holiday services ONLY. .....$350.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

(2) Indigents. .....$300.00

(3) Staking fee for installing monument, per installation. .....$35.00

(4) Mausoleum niche, each. .....$300.00

(5) Setting of VA stone. .....$150.00

(6) Mowing .....

a. Catholic Cemetery .....$350.00

b. Lutheran Cemetery .....$350.00

(8) Spaces .....

a. Regular Grave Space .....$350.00

b. Baby mound space w/opening and closing depends on day of service.

Please refer questions regarding additional fees or special considerations to the Cemetery Sexton at 620-332-2510

3. When do Memorial Day decorations need to be picked up?

All cemetery decorations need to be removed by 3:30 p.m. ten days after Memorial Day. 

Cemetery employees will begin removing decorations on the eleventh day. As staff and time are limited, we ask that you please adhere to this policy in order for staff to maintain an already tight schedule. Thank you!

4. Are any well-known people buried at Mt Hope Cemetery?

A full list of notable graves can be found at:

Noteworthy Independence Graves

Show All Answers

1. How can I support FORPAZ?

Your tax-deductible donation can be made in two ways:
1. Checks made payable to FORPAZ can be mailed to:
PO Box 9
Independence, KS 67301

2. FORPAZ online store

2. Can I renew or purchase my membership online?

Yes! Simply follow this link to the
FORPAZ online store

3. How much does a membership cost?

FORPAZ membership prices are as follows:

Individual or Family $25.00
Business $50.00
Patron $100.00
Lifetime $1,000.00

4. What does a FORPAZ membership include?

Your membership helps support Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo. As thanks, you will receive along with your membership card a punch card for 4 free train rides and 4 free carousel rides. FORPAZ members also receive half-price admission to the Tulsa Zoo and Oklahoma City Zoo when your card is presented at the gate.

Show All Answers

1. What is the Independence Housing Authority?

A not-for-profit, HUD-subsidized organization governed by a Board of Directors and the Director of Housing, April Nutt. The Independence Housing Authority assists low-income families and individuals in finding housing.

2. Is there a wait list?

Yes. Interested parties are encouraged to put a pre-application in order to reserve their place on the wait list. All of our properties are filled on a first come, first served basis. You may always withdraw your application from the wait list if you find other accommodations. The pre-application is found on the main I.H.A. page under Forms.

3. What if I am disabled?

I.H.A. has units in Cedar Pointe and Chaney that are equipped to accommodate disabilities.

4. Are the utilities included? How much are utilities?

With the exception of Cedar Pointe, utilities are not included. Tenants are responsible for paying their own utility bills. The cost of utilities varies depending on usage.

5. What appliances are included?

All I.H.A. units are equipped with a dishwasher. Chaney units do not come with washers and driers but all other units are equipped with their own washer and drier for their unit.

6. Do the units have central heat & air?

Yes. Every unit is equipped with it's own heat & air unit. Tenants may control the temperature in their units.

7. Is there an age limit?

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

8. Are pets allowed?

No. I.H.A. does not allow pets in its facilities at this time.

9. Can I smoke?

ALL units managed by the Independence Housing Authority are smoke-free. If tenants or their guests wish to smoke, they must do so outside the unit.

Show All Answers

1. How old do I have to be to live at Penn Terrace Apartments?

Penn Terrace is for persons age 62 and older, for non-elderly persons with disabilities (aged 18-49), and for near-elderly persons with disabilities (aged 50-61), in that order of preference.  

2. May I live at Penn Terrace if I am disabled?

Yes, as long as you are 62 years of age or older or you are disabled and are between the ages of 18-49 or 50--61 . Penn Terrace is ADA compliant.

3. May I have a pet at Penn Terrace?

Yes. Residents may have one cat or one dog. No other types of pets are allowed. The pet must weigh less than twenty pounds. There is a $200 pet deposit required at move-in. Special arrangements may be made for the payment of the pet deposit, upon request.

4. Is Penn Terrace a smoke-free facility?

Yes. On January 1, 2015, Penn Terrace Apartments became a smoke-free facility. Smoking and the use of E-cigarettes or vaporizers is not allowed anywhere inside the building, including apartments, or within 25' of the building. There is a designated smoking area outside for the comfort of our tenants and guests. 

5. How long does it take to complete the paperwork so I can move in?

This varies for everyone. We must do landlord verifications, criminal background checks and third-party verifications on all of your income, assets and recurring medical expenses. The length of time is determined by how long it takes those companies to return the documents to us.

6. What will I need in order to move in?

We require the following documents: 

• Social Security Card 
• Valid driver's license or Photo ID (we accept other forms of photo ID if you do not have these) 
• Birth certificate or proof of citizenship 
• Medical insurance cards 
• Social security statement of benefits (printed in the last 30 days) 
• Three months worth of bank statements
• Other documents that may be required: Information pertaining to life insurance, pensions, investment accounts, real estate documents, disposed assets, etc. 

7. What will my rent be? How do you determine it?

Penn Terrace Apartments' rent is income based and everyone's rent is different. We take into account your income (Social Security, pensions, annuities, alimony, etc.), your assets (checking, savings, CDs, money market accounts, stocks, bonds, life insurance, real estate, etc.) and your recurring medical expenses (insurance premiums, prescription co-pays, recurring monthly medical bills, etc.) to come up with what your rent will be. Your rent will be approximately 30% of your adjusted income.

8. How much will my utilities be?

The costs of all of your utilities is included in your rent. This covers water, gas and electricity and trash service.

9. What kind of TV service can I have?

Penn Terrace Apartments provides DIRECTV to our resdients for $15 per month. We are not able to partner with any other providers for cable or satellite TV but you are welcome to use streaming services of your choosing. 

10. May I have a home phone? What about internet?

Residents are responsible for setting up their own home phone and internet services. Penn Terrace does provide a computer, in the Community Room, with internet access for tenants to use free of charge.

Show All Answers

1. How do I find out my trash pick up days and location?

For most residents, the pick-up location is the curb in front of your house. However, there are several exceptions (for example, where street access is too steep to safely place and pick up the trash cart). An interactive map is available on the City's website at this link:  Interactive Sanitation Route Map  The interactive map allows you to type in your address and see both your designated pick-up location (street or alley) and the day of the week. For a printable PDF version, visit this link:  PDF Sanitation Route  Please place your polycart in the right-of-way near the curb or alley (depending on your pickup location) and do not place it in the street or in the alley. 

2. Can I still use my old trash can? If not, what do I do with it?

You can use an additional trash can for bagged trash up to three times over any three-month period. After that, the City may require an additional polycart and an additional monthly fee will apply. If you would like to get rid of an old trash can just leave a note on it and place it with your poly cart, and we will collect it with your trash. 

3. What if one polycart is not enough for my family?

A polycart can hold approximately 95 gallons and can weigh up to 300 pounds. Each polycart is picked up once per week. However, if you need an additional cart you can get one for $14.58 per month -- or $3.65 per week. 

4. What time does my cart need to be placed at my designated pick-up location?

By 5 a.m. on the day of your service. Please take it back to your house as soon as possible after we've emptied it. 

5. Do I need to move my polycart after my trash is picked up?

Yes, please move your polycart back to the house once it is emptied. 

6. What can I place in the polycart?

Please place only bagged household garbage in the polycart. Harsh chemicals or hot ashes will damage the polycart. 

7. What if I am physically unable to haul my cart to my designated pick-up location?

The new carts are on wheels, making them easier to maneuver than free-standing trash cans and heavy-filled garbage bags. However, trash pick-up service closer to your house is available for a small additional fee of $6.60/month – or $1.65 per week.

8. What if I miss my collection day, or I am late putting out my trash?

We will be back next week. Unfortunately, we cannot manage second passes to individual residences. 

9. Are you still picking up bulky items?

Yes. The easiest way to get on the list for bulky item pick-up is to put in a work order on the City’s website at this link:  Request a Service 

However, the easiest way to get rid of large amounts of trash (from moving, cleaning out a house, doing renovation, etc.) is to contact the City to arrange rental of an 8 yard residential dumpster (note there are restrictions on what can be placed in a dumpster). Cleanup dumpsters are available to citizens at their residence for a $75 fee  All rentals must be in the name of the water account holder or verified landlord of the address. In addition, all City accounts for that renter must be in good standing. A signed Residential Dumpster Agreement and payment must be filled out and returned to City Hall prior to receiving a dumpster. 

ALSO, the City Sanitation Yard at 21st & Maple is still accepting bulky items on the following schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m., and 1st Saturday of the month 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Please note holidays may temporarily modify this schedule. 

AND, the City's brush dump (located on County Road 4100 a half-mile south of College Avenue) is open to City residents on the first Saturday of the month from 8 AM to 12 noon. For online directions to the brush dump from Temporary City Hall visit this link:  Brush Dump Location

10. Will the schedule change on holidays?

Yes, if a holiday falls on a scheduled residential route day, generally the routes will be shifted to the next day. The following holidays and schedule changes will be observed for the remainder of 2022:

• July 4 (4th of July) no service, all routes shifted by one day that week.
• September 5 (Labor Day) no service, all routes shifted by one day that week.
• November 11 (Veterans Day) no service, Friday route shifted to Saturday.
• November 24 (Thanksgiving) no service.
• November 25 (Friday) Sanitation will be picking up the Thursday route.
• November 26 (Saturday) Sanitation will be picking up the Friday route.
• December 26 (Christmas Holiday) no service, all routes shifted by one day that week.
• January 2, 2023 (New Year’s Holiday) no service, all routes shifted by one day that week.

  
  

11. What if my cart is damaged or stolen?

If you haven’t damaged the cart with things like harsh chemicals or hot ashes, the City will provide you with a new cart at no charge. If the cart is stolen, you will have to file a police report in order to receive a new cart. As each cart has a serial number unique to its address, tracking is easier.

12. What if I move, do I take my cart?

No. Leave your cart at your residence, even if you just move across town. Your cart’s serial number is associated with its address.

13. Is there a hardship rate?

Yes, the criteria to qualify for the hardship rates for water, sewer and sanitation services can be found at this link:  Hardship Rates

The application can be found at this link:  Hardship Rate Application  For more information call the main City line at 620-332-2500. 

14. How do I pay my bill?

Payments may be made over the phone at 1-844-215-7377, online at Online Bill Pay, or dropped off at our two drop box locations: 811 W Laurel Street, and 120 N. 6th Street.  To start, stop, or transfer service call 620-332-2500, Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM.