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Scott County coroner seeks bigger autopsy and training budgets, flags benefits gap for deputies
Summary
Coroner asked commissioners to boost autopsy funding (suggested from $40,000 to $50,000), increase training, fix retirement/benefit shortfalls for staff and consider changing deputy-coroner payment frequency to alleviate financial strain on deputies.
The Scott County coroner told commissioners he is increasing autopsy and training requests for 2027 to meet a heavier workload and to modernize office practices.
The coroner said autopsy costs have grown and proposed raising the department's autopsy line from the current $40,000 to as high as $50,000 to avoid running short, and asked for $5,000 more in training funds for certifications. He also said deputy-coroner compensation has historically been paid as a lump sum and suggested moving to quarterly or regular payroll to make pay more manageable for deputies.
The coroner highlighted operational needs: body trays, cooler racks and a small lifting crane; he noted a recent Indiana Department of Health grant that will supply infant and aquatic body bags. He also asked the county to examine whether retirement contributions for certain coroner personnel were handled correctly in past years and requested the commission consider back-pay or reclassification where appropriate. Commissioners asked to review lines and indicated they would consider phased increases to match actual spending patterns.
