La Porte County makes coroner's chief deputy full-time amid FLSA concerns; coroner warns of new synthetic opioid

The La Porte County Council voted 4-3 on April 27 to convert the coroner's first-deputy position to full time and to adjust the salary ordinance and funding to cover the prorated cost for the remainder of 2026.

The change stems from a concern that the office's existing staffing and pay arrangements leave the county out of compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Coroner Lynn Swanson told the council the current first deputy performs chief-deputy duties, including in-field training and scheduling, and that other part-time deputies are not qualified or willing to assume those responsibilities without substantial training. "None of them qualified to be a chief deputy," Swanson said, describing the time (six to eight months) it takes to train a deputy.

Why it matters: County staff and the county attorney warned that simply adding a second, part-time first deputy would not resolve the FLSA issue. County attorney Guy de Martino advised the council that making the current first-deputy position full time, at least as a temporary measure, would be a clearer compliance path and provide the county time to consider a longer-term staffing solution.

Council debate centered on whether to restore a previously split position (two part-time first-deputy roles) or to convert the existing first-deputy to full time. An initial motion to add a second, part-time first deputy failed. A subsequent motion to increase the current first deputy's status to full time (through at least the end of the year) passed on roll call, 4 ayes to 3 nays. Council directed staff to amend the salary ordinance and to fund only the exact prorated amount needed for the remainder of the year; the council noted the change would take effect immediately.

Details and quotes: Swanson said the first deputy's schedule includes extended shifts (3 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 24-hour weekend shifts), training responsibilities, and on-call duties that today fall to a single employee who has performed the role for 14 years. "She's been doing this job for 14 years," Swanson said of the first deputy, adding that there are currently three deputies on staff but none who "will do a chief deputy's job."

On funding and pay, council members noted the practical limits of changing an elected official's salary midterm; the chosen approach increases the deputy's pay to meet the FLSA exempt threshold and is to be carried for the remainder of the year. During discussion, a council member confirmed the deputy's current salary is approximately $25,000 and that the minimum proposed increase would move the position toward about $35,000 (figures discussed on the record were described as approximate). The council said it would make the precise funding and ordinance changes in a future agenda item.

Coroner public-health update: In a separate report to the council, Coroner Swanson said the coroner's office has responded to 110 deaths so far this year, including 14 suicides. Swanson also said a sample sent to NMS Labs returned a laboratory confirmation for a new synthetic opioid that the transcript identifies as "n propionetal chlorophene," a substance she said has been found in seven other states. Swanson described the substance as an opioid-class compound detected at very low concentrations and urged continued monitoring. The transcript spelling of the drug name is likely imperfect; the council's discussion recorded the lab confirmation and the need for vigilance rather than providing broader epidemiological context.

What happens next: The council asked staff to prepare the salary-ordinance amendment and the limited funding change to cover the remainder of 2026; the change was described on the record as effective immediately. Council members said they will revisit the issue during budget hearings to consider a permanent solution or other staffing models.

Sources: Statements and roll-call votes recorded in the April 27, 2026 La Porte County Council meeting transcript; direct quotations come from Coroner Lynn Swanson and county attorney Guy de Martino as recorded in the proceeding.