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Coroner says new morgue capacity and accreditation will enable regional forensic work
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Summary
Coroner staff reported the county's new morgue increases storage capacity and that staff are pursuing accreditation; officials said intergovernmental agreements and a forensic pathologist position are expected to offset costs as other counties use the facility.
Coroner staff told the committee Peoria County's new morgue increases storage capacity and positions the county to provide forensic autopsy services to neighboring counties under intergovernmental agreements.
A coroner's office representative and staff member Ben said that the old facility could store about eight decedents comfortably but was limited by equipment; the new facility can house about 31 without further modifications. The coroner noted that capacity and a new lift and coolers make it easier to attract outside counties that previously used other facilities.
Ben said intergovernmental agreements and letters of intent have been discussed with other counties and that the proposed forensic pathologist position included in the budget packet would be covered by revenues expected from those agreements. "It changes. Just a month ago, we were under what we expected for the year, and then we caught up in 3 weeks' time. So it's just really hard to predict that," Ben said in response to questions about revenue predictability.
The coroner said the office is about 82% complete with the accreditation process and hopes to finish by November. Committee members asked for quarterly updates on how revenues and expenses for the intergovernmental arrangement track against projections; coroner staff agreed to provide progress updates if the board approves the budget and positions.
The budget packet notes intergovernmental agreements are ready to be signed if the board approves the model.
