Board sets deadline, orders new RFP and outside review for county medical examiner services
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Summary
After public criticism of current contractor management, the board approved a limited-term contract amendment and directed staff to issue a new RFP for medical examiner services that will begin Jan. 1, 2026; the board also asked staff to consult pathologists in neighboring counties when drafting the scope.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors on April 7 approved an amendment to extend the county's current medical examiner services contract through a limited date, then directed procurement to issue a new request for proposals (RFP) for medical examiner services to begin Jan. 1, 2026.
The meeting included extended public comment from funeral directors, family members and other residents who expressed strong concerns about the current contractor's performance, record-keeping and management of deceased decedents. Multiple speakers urged the board not to renew the incumbent contractor's contract and to move to an in-house county model or solicit competitive proposals from other providers.
Supervisor Letman proposed and the board approved a motion to set a firm end to the existing arrangement (board discussion set an end date during deliberations) and required procurement staff to prepare a fresh RFP based on "preferred levels of service" that include consultation with forensic pathologists and county medical-examiner offices in other Arizona counties to shape technical scope language. Manager and procurement staff were asked to engage Yavapai and Coconino counties for technical input on scope and qualifications.
Board members said they favored creating competition and clearer, measurable service standards — including certified forensic pathologists, turnaround times for autopsy reports and chain-of-custody practices — rather than relying on month-to-month contract extensions. The procurement direction instructs staff to craft an RFP that adheres to applicable state statutes and to present the draft to the board before final issuance.
Why it matters: The county handles death investigations that have legal, public-health and law-enforcement consequences. The board's direction aims to ensure bidders meet clear, verifiable standards (pathologist qualifications, custody and disclosure practices) and to solicit competitive proposals that could lower costs or improve service quality.
What's next: Procurement will prepare an RFP with technical input from peer counties and bring a draft procurement timeline and proposed scope to the board for review; services under the new contract are expected to commence Jan. 1, 2026.
