Medical examiner seeks $1.02M in equipment, outlines $6M expansion and fee change

The Chief Medical Examiner told St. Johns County officials at the FY2027 budget workshop that District 23 handled 1,076 cases last year, performing 632 full investigations and assuming jurisdiction in 495. The office, which the chief said employs 13 people, serves three counties and recovers part of its operating cost via interlocal reimbursements.

Speaking to the county’s budget group, the chief described operational limits with aging radiography equipment and requested a low‑dose, high‑speed full‑body x‑ray system and two radiography stations as part of a capital equipment package. He said the equipment and stations would cost about $470,000 and that total capital needs for stations, monitors, a PACS (archive) system and a multi‑year service contract amount to roughly $1,016,000; construction and renovation for the planned 6,000‑square‑foot expansion were discussed separately and budgeted at approximately $6,000,500.

The chief argued the equipment would speed case processing (a full body x‑ray in 13 seconds instead of many minutes per image), reduce physical strain on staff and lower radiation exposure. He also proposed raising the cremation‑review fee from $50 to $75 as many offices statewide charge more; staff estimated modest additional revenue from the change. County budget staff said the Medical Examiner’s net St. Johns County funding is roughly $2 million after tri‑county reimbursements.

No vote was taken at the workshop; the requests will be included in the recommended budget packet for board review.