The Montgomery County Legislature on June 24 voted to increase compensation for coroner positions and directed staff to investigate potential structural changes to the coroner’s office.

During consideration of broader salary adjustments for elected officials, members discussed operational burdens on the coroner’s office, including an increase in unintended deaths tied to suicide and opioid overdoses and the round‑the‑clock nature of the work. County personnel officer Nicole Yegel told the legislature that the coroner’s office handled “about 120 cases” and that staff are on call 24/7, requiring use of their own transportation and supplies at times.

Lawmakers debated whether to add another deputy coroner position or to pursue a charter amendment that would make coroner posts appointive rather than elected so vacancies could be reliably filled. One legislator suggested that other counties already use appointed models; the body asked staff to investigate options and report back.

The pay adjustments for coroner positions were taken as part of a larger package of salary changes for elected officials. The meeting record shows the body approved increases for the head county coroner and county coroner (the transcript records the motions and subsequent voice votes); details for the individual salary figures were discussed in session and recorded in the minutes.

Legislators said they would seek more information on caseload trends and vacancy history before pursuing charter changes. Any change to appointment or election structure would require further legislative action and, if necessary, a charter amendment process.