Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Lab And Forensic topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Appropriators question lab move, forensic pathology spending and UND contract; morgue to remain at current site
Summary
Senators questioned a proposed state laboratory move, a $2.9 million lab relocation cost and a larger operating increase for disease control and forensic pathology. Department officials said the morgue and autopsy functions will remain in the current building and described capital-asset and fee issues tied to the move and building maintenance.
Committee members pressed the Department of Health and Human Services about costs tied to relocating the state laboratory and the department's forensic pathology operations, and about fees intended to support laboratory operations.
A committee member asked whether the $2.9 million lab move (noted on the long sheet) and a $151,000 general-fund line could be covered by laboratory fees. Donna Auckland, the department CFO, said the department could provide a list of its fees and the history of fee adjustments so the committee could consider whether the $151,000 general-fund amount could instead come from fee revenues.
On the forensic pathology budget, senators asked why the operating line showed a substantial percentage increase. Auckland said she would investigate the specific drivers and return to the committee with answers. The committee also discussed a contract with the University of North Dakota for pathology services. Auckland said the University reported an amount needed to continue the program and that the House added funding (including increased support that resulted in a roughly $661,000 line for UND after an amendment). She noted concerns from the department and the university about sustaining the UND contract without additional appropriation.
A committee member asked whether the morgue building would be demolished once the lab moved. Auckland clarified: demolition discussion applied to some state hospital buildings, not the morgue; the department will keep forensic pathology/autopsy work in the current building even after the lab portion moves. "We're gonna continue to do the forensic pathology services in there," she said.
Ending: Senators asked staff to provide a fee schedule and the department to identify the components of the lab-move cost and the drivers of the forensic pathology operating increase; department officials committed to follow up with written responses.
