Commissioners approve payments as Southern Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center expands services

Union County commissioners voted to approve expenditures to continue autopsy services provided through the Southern Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center (SPRAC) and heard an update on the center's service levels and a planned standalone facility.

The board approved a motion to authorize expenditures for autopsy services after commissioners were told the center has performed “at least 15” autopsies and is serving neighboring counties such as Cabarrus and Stanly while preparing for expanded regional service.

County staff told commissioners that current autopsy work is being performed “in the auspices of the hospital” and that toxicology testing has not yet required sending samples to Raleigh. Staff warned that, if required, toxicology would need to be sent out of region under current arrangements. Commissioners asked about the facility timeline; staff said contract negotiations for design were under way, with design expected to take nine to 15 months and construction about two years — a planning horizon of roughly three years to a completed standalone center. Staff also said some laboratory capability would be included in the new facility.

Commissioners discussed which counties are already served by SPRAC and noted plans to expand the service area to the full nine-county region as capacity grows. Staff said some details — including how toxicology would be handled in every case — remain to be confirmed and that, until the new facility exists, certain forensic analyses may need to be sent to the state lab in Raleigh.

A motion to approve the expenditures for autopsy services was made and carried by voice vote. The board discussed the need to negotiate design contracts and to develop site plans that account for proximity to a potential new jail campus.

Commissioners asked about operational arrangements and liaisons with sheriff's offices in participating counties; staff said those details will be worked out as the project moves from regional pilot to a permanent facility. The county also recently hired a business manager to support the program and is working with a contractor to develop initial site plans.

The action authorizes the county to continue paying for autopsy services while design and site-planning proceed toward a permanent SPRAC facility; staff framed the vote as necessary because the number of autopsies performed has reached the contract threshold that triggers payment authority.

Implementation of the planned facility will require additional contracting for design and construction and will include further intergovernmental coordination for toxicology, evidence handling and law-enforcement liaisons.