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Board sets deadline, directs new RFP and expert input for medical‑examiner services
Summary
After months of dispute over the existing contract, the board placed a firm end date on the current medical‑examiner services contract, directed staff to issue a new RFP with input from counties that operate in‑house forensic pathologists, and set a target start date for new services of Jan. 1, 2026.
The Board of Supervisors directed staff on April 7 to end the current month‑to‑month medical‑examiner services contract with Serenity Memorial Group and to issue a new request for proposals, incorporating expert input from nearby counties that operate in‑house forensic pathologists.
After public comment urging structural change, and after months of complaints and a prior board decision to pause renewal, board members voted to set an explicit end date and to require procurement to issue a new or revised RFP so services under a new contract could begin January 1, 2026. The board added direction that procurement seek technical input from counties that operate in‑house forensic pathologists — specifically Yavapai and Coconino counties were discussed — to help shape scope and qualification language for the RFP.
The board’s action followed public testimony from funeral‑home operators, family members, other residents and advocates who criticized past operations and urged a permanent, accountable solution. Several speakers urged creation of an in‑house county morgue and county‑employed forensic pathologist; board members acknowledged that bringing the service fully in‑house would be costly and requires a separate capital and staffing plan. The board directed staff to pursue a competitive procurement to test market options (outsourced provider, hybrid or in‑house models) and return with proposals, including cost and implementation timelines.
Supervisor Lettman said a short, fixed wind‑down period for the current contract would force timely procurement and allow contingency planning; supervisors approved the staff direction and added that the RFP scope should be developed with medical‑examiner subject‑matter input to ensure the county asks for the correct professional qualifications and services.
Ending: The board set a target Jan. 1, 2026 start date for a successor contract, ordered procurement to solicit proposals with technical input from peer counties and to return with recommended contract language, and retained the option to continue on a month‑to‑month basis during transition if necessary.
