Davis County Council approves $30,000 for autopsies as coroner reports rising case load

Davis County commissioners voted to approve a $30,000 appropriation for autopsies after the countycoroneroffice reported a recent rise in investigations and higher per-case costs. The appropriation, approved by motion, was described by the coroner's office as intended to cover autopsy and toxicology bills through the end of the year.

The coroner's office representative, Tyler, told the council the office had 37 cases in the last formal report and was currently handling 43 cases, including five since the previous Friday. "We are currently at 43 cases. I know there have been some comments... I tracked it. I trended it since 2019... We are currently at 47 percent non autopsy cases," Tyler said, describing trends and the types of deaths that legally require investigation or autopsy. He told commissioners the office has seen increases in substance-abuse-related deaths, accidents and suicides and that those trends have pushed up costs.

Tyler gave commissioners specific cost estimates for budgeting: an average full autopsy is about $2,200, and a standard toxicology panel runs about $600; special toxicology panels can add roughly $300. He said those figures have increased compared with past years and that toxicology fees can inflate a case's cost if both are required. "Tox will be upwards of 600 a piece... and then he'll come in and do the regular autopsy for 2,200," Tyler said.

Commissioners discussed whether the requested appropriation would be sufficient. Tyler said, "I do right now. Just based on current trends... I think thatthat's fair for now," and added the appropriation represented roughly funding for an additional 15 autopsies at the average rates he provided. The council moved and approved the $30,000 appropriation; the motion was made by Commissioner Tom and seconded by Commissioner Matt. Chair called for the vote and said, "Aye. Motion carries."

The coroner described staffing pressures and difficulties in securing pathologists and local services. He said the office struggles to find day-shift staff and relies on a small group of on-call personnel; the county's primary pathologist is in his 70s but is continuing to serve. Tyler also noted the county has tried to expedite autopsies in some communities to accommodate cultural or religious practices, and that families sometimes request private autopsies when the office determines one is not legally required.

Discussion only: Tyler and commissioners discussed whether insurance demands or family requests sometimes prompt extra work and potential charges; Tyler said private vendors can be referred when a family insists on an exam the county does not require. Direction: commissioners approved the appropriation and asked staff to monitor trends and return if additional funding or changes in per-case pay are needed.

The council approved the requested appropriation at the meeting; commissioners and coroner's office staff indicated they would track trends and revisit funding if caseloads or per-case costs continue to rise.