Shelby County increases forensic center contract to $10.27 million after board hears staffing and market pressures

Shelby County commissioners voted to approve an increase to the county’s contract with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to operate the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, bringing the contract toward a not-to-exceed total of roughly $10.27 million for fiscal 2026.

The contract change — described to commissioners by county and UT officials as necessary to retain forensic pathologists and cover rising operating costs — drew intense scrutiny during a multi-hour discussion. ‘‘UT said $5 million is not enough for them to continue to provide services,’’ Dr. Bruce Randolph, interim director of the Shelby County Health Department, told the board, explaining that the center struggled to recruit pathologists at the previously budgeted level and that the university asked for higher compensation to…