The Montgomery County Legislature on June 24 amended the proposed coroner salary levels and approved higher pay after members and county staff described rising workloads tied to increases in unattended deaths and associated duties.

Background and action: The meeting began discussion on a proposed head county coroner salary of $15,000 and a county coroner salary proposal (amounts discussed). Personnel officer Nicole Yaeger briefed legislators on workload trends and the county's comparative salary information and recommended an increase. Following comments from other legislators and a speaker who described the routine duties coroners perform (calls to pronounce deaths, coordinate autopsies and logistics), a motion was made to set the head county coroner salary at $20,000 and the county coroner salary at $15,000; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: Legislators said coroners respond 24/7, coordinate autopsies, arrange logistics and use personal resources such as vehicles in carrying out their duties. The increases were justified in the meeting record by rising workloads and the need to remain regionally competitive for these positions.

Discussion on office structure: A later portion of the meeting recorded a separate discussion that the county received a letter from the coroner regarding staffing; legislators asked county counsel and staff to investigate whether the office should remain elected or be changed to an appointed model (a charter amendment or other approach was discussed as one option). The transcript records that two deputy coroners are appointed positions and that some counties have different models. The legislature asked staff to investigate options and report back.

Ending: The pay adjustments were approved by voice vote; staff were asked to review the coroner office structure and report options to the legislature.