Medical examiner outlines caseload, fees and modest tax request in FY26 budget review
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Summary
Dr. Bickley told supervisors the medical examiner's office handled roughly 700 death reports this year, investigated about 325 cases and conducted about 100 autopsies; the office proposes modest increases in out-of-county reimbursement and a net property-tax ask of $347,450.
Dr. Bickley, the county medical examiner, told the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 21 that the office handled about 700 death reports this year, deferred roughly 370 cases, investigated about 325 cases and performed about 100 autopsies. He briefed supervisors on fee arrangements for other counties and on anticipated budget changes for FY26.
The office distinguishes deferred cases (medical follow-ups or hospice-managed deaths that do not require an on-site investigation) from investigator cases that require an on-site response, such as deaths at home, emergency-room deaths, suicides and homicides. Dr. Bickley said investigators must file reports and enter information into state systems for all deaths the office handles.
Dr. Bickley said investigators bill other counties for services when those counties' residents die in Black Hawk County. The office uses a fee schedule that was described in the meeting as three-tiered: a deferred-case fee (reported as $50), an investigative-case fee (reported as $200) and variable state autopsy fees that can range into the thousands depending on testing (the presenter cited autopsy costs “around $2,500–$3,000” as illustrative). The county also records occasional transport charges when MercyOne provides ambulance transport for autopsies; the meeting cited a transport fee of $416 when that service is used.
Auditor Michelle Walter (county auditor) reported the medical examiner's net property-tax request for the office at $347,450. County staff said reimbursements billed to other counties have been increased to reflect higher costs and to offset out-of-county casework.
Ending: Supervisors did not take separate action on the medical examiner's request at the Jan. 21 session; the office's FY26 request will be considered as part of the county-wide budget process.
