Mohave County approves one-year medical examiner contract amid public concern over performance and qualifications

Mohave County on Monday approved a one-year contract awarding county medical examiner services to the incumbent, Serenity Memorial Group, at $87,500 per month, with the option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms.

The recommendation came from a staff evaluation committee that reviewed three proposals after an RFP process that county staff said followed state purchasing rules and incorporated a review of statute-based qualifications. "This is the final result of that process with the committee recommending award to Serenity, who is the incumbent, for $87,500 monthly for the initial 1 year term with the option to renew for up to 4 additional 1 year terms," Procurement Director Tara Acton told the board.

The vote was 3–2 on a roll call. The board’s decision followed public comments urging the board to consider other providers and lengthy questioning from supervisors about performance history, RFP scoring and how the county balanced timeliness standards with operational realities.

Why it matters: County medical examiner services affect police investigations, autopsy timelines, and information available to grieving families. The item has been the subject of multiple public meetings and press coverage in recent years because Mohave has used a contract model that several supervisors described as “unorthodox” compared with the direct-physician contracts most Arizona counties use.

What the board discussed: Several public commenters and some supervisors urged the county to consider alternatives to the incumbent. Jennifer Esposito of Kingman told the board: "Renewing the contract for the guy who has been an embarrassment and a cause of aggravation for multiple tax paying families of deceased loved ones in this county is not a good idea." Public Health Director Melissa Palmer and other county staff described the RFP process, the evaluation steps and the committee’s scoring rationale.

Supervisor briefing and standards: Supervisor Lettman (District 1) summarized the history: the county moved to the current contractual model in 2021 as a short-term solution when individual physicians were reportedly unwilling to contract directly with the county. He said the board had repeatedly directed staff to test the market and return the county to a direct-physician model, and that the 2025 RFP’s professional qualification language appeared to be relaxed compared with the 2024 solicitation.

Lettman cited the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) performance guidance, saying that NAME recommends autopsies be performed “ideally within 24 to 72 hours.” He said the 2025 RFP’s allowable autopsy turnaround of up to 10 days and language permitting a physician to obtain an Arizona license after award represented a “material loosening” compared with prior solicitations and national best practices.

Staff response and contractual safeguards: Tara Acton and county staff said the RFP reviewers sought to balance best-practice standards with what local and peer counties were achieving in practice. Acton told the board the county’s outreach found that many providers—particularly those that subcontract locum or forensic services—were not meeting a 48–72 hour autopsy window and that the county’s analyses showed an average of about five days for completion in current operations. Acton said the solicitation requires an awarded firm to name the physician who will serve as medical examiner and to explain how the firm would communicate and document delays when extenuating circumstances prevent meeting contractual timelines.

Incumbent’s record and public remarks: Representatives of Serenity Memorial Group (incumbent) and other firms that bid for the contract spoke to the board. Serenity’s representative, who addressed the board during public comment, said the firm had stepped in when the county lacked local physician capacity and defended its work. Sheriff’s Office leadership said the office had experienced problems with the provider several years ago but had no current complaints and noted that service consistency and timely deliverables are central to law enforcement needs.

Board concerns and budget context: Board members pressed staff about whether the county had set aside capital funds for a county morgue; County Manager told the board the FY 2026 budget includes $4,000,000 for a morgue should the board choose to proceed. Some supervisors reiterated they prefer a long-term plan to return to a direct physician contract and said they were voting against today’s award on that basis.

Outcome and next steps: The board approved the one-year award to Serenity Memorial Group on a 3–2 vote. County staff said contract renewal decisions would come back to the board; in practice the county has used mutual amendments during prior renewals but the contract language gives the county renewal options. Staff also said they will require the awarded firm to meet the RFP’s stated reporting and communication obligations, including notifying the county promptly when autopsy timelines cannot be met.

Quotes: "This is the final result of that process with the committee recommending award to Serenity, who is the incumbent, for $87,500 monthly for the initial 1 year term with the option to renew for up to 4 additional 1 year terms," Tara Acton, Procurement Director. "Renewing the contract for the guy who has been an embarrassment and a cause of aggravation for multiple tax paying families of deceased loved ones in this county is not a good idea," Jennifer Esposito, Kingman resident. "I will be voting no today as I believe doing so is in the best interest of the public," Supervisor Lettman (District 1).

Ending note: The award secures a short-term contract and requires staff oversight of performance metrics and reporting; several supervisors said they will continue pursuing either a direct-physician contracting model or in-house services as a longer-term solution.