To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Dr. Brian Hunter
title
RE: Approval to create, post & fill a Primary Scene Investigator position
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Create, Post and Fill a Primary Scene Investigator Position
BACKGROUND:
The Medical Examiner’s Office is charged with determining the cause and manner of death for individuals whose death is due to trauma or whose cause of death is unknown based on medical history and scene investigation. To that extent, scene investigation is a critical part of the Medical Examiner’s Office daily functioning. Over the past decade, Genesee County has partnered with private entities for the investigative services and despite changes in contract partners has been lucky enough to maintain a high level of scene investigation. Given that contracting for such service raises the possibility for a wholesale change in staffing, it has become important to establish a permanent full-time scene investigator position to help ensure continuity in this position despite a potential change in contract provider. This position will be responsible for scene investigations during office hours and will provide after-hours consultative support for other investigators. This position will decrease the fees paid to the contract partner: estimated reduction of $94,938.00.
DISCUSSION:
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
On boarding of a new employee
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Cost of the employee $96,115.00 and estimated cost of a motor pool vehicle $30,000 will need to be added to our budget with the partial offset for the decreased fees paid to the contract partner for FYE 2025.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
Computer and department procurement and onboarding of a new employee
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
One of the primary responsibilities of a Medical Examiner's Office is to investigate and determine the cause of death in cases where the cause of death is unknown, or the death is due to trauma. This information is vital for public health surveillance and identifying potential threats to community health and safety, such as contagious diseases or public health emergencies. Creation of a full-time position creates a consistent long-term position that will improve collaborative relationships with law enforcement and public health agencies.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Medical Examiner to authorize establishing, posting, and filling a new Primary Scene Investigator position, said new position to be responsible for scene investigations during office hours and to provide after-hours consultative support for the contracted investigators, is approved (a copy of the Memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the August 14, 2024 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board).