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Committee advances reorganization and budget amendment to open regional forensic science center
Summary
The committee approved forwarding a reorganization and budget amendment to create a physician‑led Regional Forensic Science Center. Officials said construction is on schedule, two forensic pathologists have been recruited, and the plan seeks to be levy neutral over time.
The committee voted to forward a resolution restructuring the county medical examiner’s office and the related budget amendment that will support the Regional Forensic Science Center.
Nut graf: County officials said construction remains on schedule for completion in June with an anticipated move-in in July, and the county has recruited two forensic pathologists (one starting May 25 and another July 28). The plan converts the office to a physician‑led model: the chief forensic pathologist will serve as chief medical examiner while an office director will manage operations and budgeting.
County Medical Examiner Jess told the committee the new facility includes three autopsy stations, a teaching observation area, a tissue-donation suite and a sally port designed for mass‑fatality response. Jess explained most current staff titles will change but "job duties will remain virtually the same" and described the autopsy supervisor, autopsy technicians and mortuary assistant roles the facility will need.
Administrator Leonard said the business plan intends to be levy neutral: initial levy support will not increase and the office will bill externally for autopsies performed for other counties and institutions. The administrators also said the county needs a statutory amendment (Chapter 59) similar to Brown County's earlier change to allow a death‑record signing fee tied to a physician‑led office.
Several committee members asked about grants cited in the budget amendment; Jess said two grants (one identified in the packet and one described as the DHS violent death reporting grant) were in place at the time of the presentation and that staff would report operational performance as the office ramps up. A motion to forward the reorganization and budget amendment to the full county board passed unanimously.
Ending: Staff said additional work will continue on fee schedules, the county’s accounting fund structure for the office and 2026 budget detail; administrators expect to return with implementation updates as the center opens.
