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Fremont County coroner reports higher-than-budgeted autopsy volume, flags $20,000 projected overrun
Summary
Coroner Michelle Jones told commissioners the office handled more out-of-county autopsies than budgeted, driving higher salary/contract costs and an anticipated $20,000 overrun; she also reported a possible Kratom-linked death and asked about SLIP grant assistance for equipment.
Fremont County Coroner Michelle Jones reported to the commissioners that autopsy volume and related contract costs have exceeded her office’s budget this fiscal year, producing a projected roughly $20,000 shortfall.
Jones told the board her office has completed 33 of the county’s 81 autopsies and has done 42 autopsies with contract billings to date; revenue collected so far is about $86,896, with anticipated billing raising total expected revenue to nearly $100,000. “Contract autopsy, we're at a 125% of the budgeted amount,” she said.
Jones said more than 60% of autopsies performed at the county facility were for other counties, increasing workload and payments to the contract physician. She told commissioners that about $70,000 of the anticipated $100,000 revenue would be used to pay the contract physician (Doctor Frost), leaving her department with less net revenue than expected. “I anticipate being approximately 20,000 over budget at the end of the fiscal year,” Jones said.
Jones also raised public-health concerns: she said the office had observed an increase in the presence of Kratom in scenes and reported she believes the county has experienced a Kratom-related death, noting the substance is “completely legal” and available in local vape shops in liquid, powder and other forms.
Commissioners discussed whether to increase next year’s expected revenue and corresponding contract expense in the coroner budget. Jones said she had kept next year’s estimates conservative because this is only the second year the county has provided these autopsy services and she could not be certain the higher out-of-county caseload would continue.
Jones asked about SLIP grant support to help fund equipment for the coroner’s office; commissioners said staff could assist with the application process and provide contact information for state grant resources. Jones said the Wyoming county autopsy workload has changed county revenue and expense flows and requested staff help with grant submissions and budget adjustments.
The board did not take an immediate funding action but discussed options to adjust the coroner’s budget before final adoption.
