Public Safety Committee forwards resolution to set new forensic service fees as medical examiner office expands

The Marathon County Public Safety Committee on Sept. 9 voted to forward to the county board a resolution establishing new fees for pathology and related forensic services as the county’s Forensic Science Center expands operations.

Administrator Jess Leonard said the county has transitioned the medical examiner’s office to a physician-led operation and is seeking revenue sources to reduce reliance on the tax levy. "That is why I'm asking you to approve these and move them to county board — the sooner we can get the facility use fees, transportation fees, and private autopsy fees in place, we can start charging those, and, generating revenue," Leonard said.

Dr. Schupner, the chief medical examiner, updated the committee on staffing and operations at the Forensic Science Center. She said the office onboarded two forensic pathologists and a full‑time autopsy…