Commissioners approve $250,000 from contingency for medical examiner’s autopsies and toxicology

Tracy Carr Scholar, speaking for the medical examiner’s office, told Midland County commissioners on July 1 that the office had experienced a surge in autopsies and toxicology needs driven by overdoses and motor‑vehicle crashes and asked for additional contingency funds.

Scholar said toxicology testing costs substantially less than full autopsies and the office has been relying on toxicology when appropriate to control costs. She asked the court to authorize $250,000 from contingency to cover autopsy, toxicology and transport expenses through October. "We have had an influx in overdoses and motor vehicle accidents," Scholar said, explaining that some crashes involving commercial vehicles require autopsies for legal reasons.

Scholar provided cost examples: she said a regular toxicology run costs about $413 and that the base level of an autopsy was substantially higher; she also cited transport costs and other line items that have increased the office’s spending. From October through the present reporting period, the office documented handling roughly 533 deaths with 106 requiring physician‑signed certificates or autopsy/timing considerations, she said.

Commissioners questioned contingency balances and the process for returning unused funds to the general fund; staff confirmed contingency remains available and that unused sums would remain in fund balance. After discussion, a commissioner moved to transfer $250,000 from contingency to the medical examiner's autopsy/toxicology budget; the court approved the motion on a voice vote.

Outcome: $250,000 approved to cover autopsy and toxicology costs through October; staff will monitor spending and report back as needed.