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 sustain operations.

County finance staff said the increase is the product of several short contract extensions used while the county pursued a longer-term procurement. Audrey Typton, director of administration and finance, said the county has paid UT under a series of extensions since 2014 and that the amount billed by UT has not kept pace with current market conditions for pathologists and technicians. ‘‘We’ve been talking about increasing this contract for the last year,’’ Typton said, adding that the forensic center performs autopsies and investigations for multiple jurisdictions across West Tennessee.

Commissioners repeatedly asked for greater transparency about the $6.65 million increase being added now. Several members asked where the money would be spent — salaries, lab supplies, technician pay, or subcontracted services — and requested an itemized schedule. County Attorney Megan Smith said the supporting documents include a breakdown in the contract extension materials and that staff would post the relevant exhibits; she highlighted language in the contract addenda that cites a 26 percent increase in some administrative costs tied to renewals.

The board voted 10–0 with one abstention to approve the appropriations needed to cover the contractual increase. Commissioners who supported the motion said they believed approving the funds was necessary to avoid service interruption that could delay death investigations, impede criminal investigations and delay death certificates.

Opponents and some questioners urged the county to post clearer line-item detail on the public budget portal so residents and prospective vendors can understand exactly how county funds are being used and to ensure the procurement process remains open for competitive bids going forward. Purchasing staff said they had issued an RFP twice with no competitive response other than UT, and that UT was the only bidder able to meet the service needs at the offered terms.

The county attorney said staff will provide the contract exhibits and a clearer public explanation in the county’s records system. The board did not change the contractor; UT will continue providing forensic services while staff work to post the detailed contract material and pursue any further procurement steps required by county rules.

The commission referred follow-up questions about subcontractors and itemized costs to county staff; officials estimated the contract and exhibits would be posted publicly soon.