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Ada County approves $100,000 contingency encumbrance for coroner staffing
Summary
Facing a national shortage of forensic pathologists, the Ada County Board of Commissioners authorized a $100,000 encumbrance from contingency funds to pay temporary pathologist services while longer-term hires and new equipment are pursued.
The Ada County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 authorized an encumbrance of $100,000 from county contingency funds to cover temporary personnel services in the coroner's office while the department continues recruiting a permanent pathologist.
Coroner Rick Bridal told the board the county faces a nationwide shortage of pathologists and has relied on third-party contractors to provide intermittent coverage. He said the county has an applicant it expects to interview imminently and has received HR approval to hire a half-time pathologist as an interim county employee if needed.
"This is a very ... the entire country is in a situation where pathologists are just extremely hard to find," Bridal said, adding that he was working aggressively to recruit and that some temporary hires would be retired physicians who prefer part-time roles.
Bridal described a worst-case funding estimate of approximately $344,000 for ongoing temporary coverage but said he hopes to use far less if a candidate can be hired. He also told commissioners that a new CT scanner, expected to be operational in June or July, should reduce the number of invasive autopsies and lower staff time required for some cases.
Commissioners discussed alternatives, including authorizing a smaller encumbrance now and returning for additional funds later if necessary. The county controller explained that an encumbrance only reserves the contingency funds and can be released if unused.
A motion to encumber $100,000 from county contingency funds for temporary coroner payroll services passed unanimously among members present. Commissioner Davidson was noted as absent earlier in the meeting.
