Board backs plan to seek formal reassignment of Lake County into Medical Examiner District 24

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to support a plan to have Lake County reassigned into Medical Examiner District 24 and approved a recommendation for the chairman to transmit that support in a letter to the Medical Examiner Committee.

Assistant County Manager Christian Swenson summarized two options developed with Lake County: keep Lake and Seminole in District 24 at the current Leesburg location (with District 5 proceeding to build a new facility), or have Lake and Seminole continue as District 24 but relocate to a new facility. Both options assume District 5 supports reassigning Lake to District 24. Staff recommended board authorization for Chairman Lockhart to send a letter to the medical-examiner committee chair expressing Seminole County’s position and outlining the proposed plan.

Swenson noted that on Feb. 14 Marion County asked Seminole for reimbursement related to expenses for a new medical-examiner facility; Marion provided documentation on April 29 and Seminole staff said more information is needed to determine a reasonable reimbursement amount and that the county would draft a follow-up request for detail. Lake County’s board voted April 22 to approve the plan and support reassignment.

Commissioners discussed the plan and the need for additional information regarding Marion County’s reimbursement request. After discussion Commissioner Laurie moved to approve staff’s recommendation and authorize the chairman to send the letter; the motion carried unanimously.