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Clallam County coroner outlines transport savings, equipment needs and plan to relocate facilities
Summary
The coroner's office told commissioners it has expanded on-scene investigations, achieved transport and procurement savings, secured a van for out-of-county autopsy transports, and is seeking space and modest capital to meet accreditation and operational needs.
The Clallam County coroner's office updated commissioners on operational improvements, transport-cost savings and facility needs during the Nov. 4 budget session.
The coroner (name not specified) said the office has increased scene response and now produces a professional report for every death processed, even when no autopsy is performed. The office has been documenting scenes with full forensic photography and conducting on-scene examinations to support investigations and to educate law-enforcement partners.
The coroner reported staffing and accreditation progress: Deputy Coroner Shoop is completing national certification steps and the coroner is near board certification as a national investigator. That professionalization, the coroner said, has improved relationships with law enforcement and has helped cover accreditation points.
On transport and equipment, the coroner said the office's transport truck has handled 68 transports and has saved the county more than $41,000 compared with prior arrangements. The office also bulk-purchases body bags, reducing per-bag cost from $90 to $27. The coroner said the county has secured a surplus van formerly used for juvenile transport that can be fitted with two manual gurneys and used to take decedents to Seattle for autopsies; county staff estimated current commercial transport to King County costs about $650 per round trip. "We have done 68 transports, which has saved us over $41,000," the coroner said.
The office requested space and equipment to meet accreditation and operational needs. Staff said they lack sufficient workspace for a planned third full-time employee, have off-site boxes of emergency equipment and supplies that should be relocated, and need a secure area for a walk-in cooler/freezer and family meeting space. County facilities staff are evaluating a recently purchased county property the coroner suggested could be adapted to provide office space, outbuildings and a cooler; the coroner said the site may require plumbing, insulation and backup generation.
Budget items discussed included a recommended inclusion of $70,000 for escalating autopsy costs and a separate department request for an additional deputy coroner. Commissioners were told the deputy-coroner request could be covered by placeholder dollars already built into the broader budget plan; smaller equipment purchases (two gurneys, hooks and installation) were estimated at roughly $10,000 to $12,000 and could be paid from remaining 2025 supplies funds or via a budget emergency if necessary.
Commissioners discussed possible interlocal collaboration with Jefferson County for transport efficiency, and the coroner said he would pursue memorandums of understanding to offer transport assistance for nearby counties when trips to Seattle are already scheduled.
Office leaders and commissioners agreed to continue planning around the newly acquired property, evaluate remaining 2025 budget authority for immediate equipment needs and defer major capital integration to facilities and capital planning as closing on the property and site inspections are completed.
