Board approves new death‑investigation FTEs after debate over timing and funding

The Manitowoc County Board approved resolution 2026‑2028‑34 to create new full‑time equivalent positions to support death investigations and the planned transition to a medical examiner model.

"The people that will fill these positions are already working for the county and already on our payroll," County Executive Tyler Martel said during discussion, adding that the only change is reclassifying existing on‑call deputy coroners into FTEs that will be eligible for benefits and that those benefits were already included in the 2026 budget. Debate among supervisors centered on whether it was appropriate to add FTEs now rather than address staffing as part of the full 2027 budget and whether the incoming medical examiner should influence hiring decisions. The resolution passed 23–1.

Supporters said the change formalizes coverage and benefits for staff already performing the duties, while opponents argued the timing could commit future budgets. Supervisor Marsh, who brought the resolution forward, said the committee had spent considerable time on the proposal and sought to ensure continuity when the new medical examiner arrives.

The board’s action creates the positions in the county’s FTE report; the clerk recorded the vote and the measure moves into implementation steps identified by the personnel and coroner’s offices.