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Greene County coroner seeks up to $15,000 to cover autopsy and morgue costs; council approves advertising
Summary
The Greene County Council voted to advertise a request from the coroner for additional funds to cover autopsies, morgue and transport expenses, with the coroner indicating $15,000 would likely cover the rest of the year.
Greene County’s coroner told council members Wednesday that recent case volume and autopsy costs have exhausted the office’s available funds and asked the council to advertise an additional appropriation.
The coroner, Joe (last name not specified in the record), reported 12 cases so far this year, including several autopsies, and said he had used the office’s funds. He told the council he initially requested $10,000 but, after additional cases, said "probably about 15 should cover me till the end of the year." He also described morgue fees for autopsies performed in Bedford and said transport and related costs are recorded in a different line item.
The nut graf: the council approved advertising the coroner’s request for $15,000 so the appropriation can be publicly noticed and considered at a future hearing. Advertising a request does not allocate funds; it begins the formal appropriation process.
Council members asked whether the coroner had increased next year’s budget; he said the budget conversation had already occurred and that they had discussed increasing funding for the coming year. After discussion, Ron moved to advertise the $15,000 request and Brian seconded; the council approved the motion on a voice vote.
The coroner also clarified local practices: Greene County transports bodies to Bedford for autopsies because the county lacks a local facility. The coroner and council agreed that transport may be recorded separately from morgue or autopsy fees and that future budgeting would address ongoing needs.
