Adams County coroner announces retirement; board appoints Rosa Newman as coroner and names deputy

James Lee, Adams County coroner, told supervisors he will retire and the board moved to appoint a successor and ensure continuity of the office.

Lee announced his intention to retire and said the county and state requirements for on-call certified personnel would be met after his departure. He identified Rosa Newman, a certified paramedic and certified death investigator, as his recommended successor for coroner and named Jay Westaff (transcribed as "Jay Westaff") as a recommended deputy.

Supervisor Angela Hutchins moved to appoint Rosa Newman as coroner and to name Jay Westaff as deputy coroner; the motion was seconded and the board approved it by voice vote. Meeting discussion recorded that the monthly stipend for the coroner is $900 and the deputy coroner receives $400 per month plus pay for calls; the board said those pay rates would not change as part of the appointment.

Lee described his tenure in the office, said staff would remain in place to maintain operations and that the county would continue to meet Mississippi State Crime Lab requirements for certified on-call coroners. The board asked staff to collect required personnel paperwork and pay forms for the new appointees.

The board did not discuss a special election at the meeting beyond noting the regular election process for filling the position at the next scheduled election; board members said a special election would be considered later if needed.