Clearwater County’s newly-elected council has prioritized an expansion of the Leslieville Cemetery with a $253,000 commitment in the 2026 budget.

The call for expansion comes as cemetery volunteers say it is quickly running out of room.

So far in 2025, 18 burial plots were spoken for by August — which is the average number in a typical entire year, except four full months ahead of time.

Bethel Union Church has overseen the cemetery since 1915. Since then, volunteers say there has never been any funding for the cemetery, including the current Clearwater County or former Municipal District No. 99, which dissolved in 1985.

However, the county has offered lawn mowing services at the cemetery.

The delegation asked council to rescind an October motion to split the cemetery into two, as it goes against the wishes of community members. Instead, it has asked for an expansion of the existing cemetery at an estimated cost of $411,000.

Longtime board volunteer Bob Menzies says between the first two phases of the cemetery, there are about 800 used and 100 sold plots, and the current land can only sustain the needs of the community for another two to four years.

If approved, an expansion of the Leslieville cemetery is expected to serve the community for 50-plus years. (Clearwater County)

He adds, with an aging demographic and local residents returning to be interned in their home community, the demand for plots may only increase.

The board has been in conversation with the Schroderus family, who owns the quarter directly east of the cemetery plot. The family has agreed to sell five acres of land to support the continued development of the cemetery.

However, the expansion exceeds the financial resources of the cemetery, and it has reached out for county assistance.

Clearwater County Reeve Jordon Northcott called the plan to keep one plot and extend it to the east “very reasonable”.

Clearwater County Reeve Jordon Northcott speaking to work that needs to be done at the Leslieville Cemetary Site

Northcott adds, the $253,000 in 2026 can be seen as a phased approach, as work such as landscaping and tree removal must be completed. Council will consider funding the rest of the $411,000 in subsequent years.

Menzies says the extra five acres of land could ensure the cemetery serves the community’s needs for another 50-90 years.

The funding is part of the 2026 capital and operating budget, which was passed on Dec. 19.