To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Brian Hunter M.D.
title
RE: Approval of a proposed amendment to the 2025-2026 Appropriations Resolution, in the amount of $30,000.00, to provide for additional medical examiner scene investigation services; funding for this proposed amendment will come from fund balance in General Fund
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a proposed budget amendment for contracted scene investigators, and associated purchase orders increasing the authorized combined expenditure limit from $200,000.00 to $230,000.00 as set forth in resolution 2025-2436.
BACKGROUND:
In March 2025, the Medical Examiner's Office transitioned from utilizing a third-party vendor for death scene investigation services to establishing direct contractual agreements with individual investigators. This change provided our office with greater oversight, flexibility, and cost control while supporting workforce continuity. On December 3, 2025, the Human Services Committee approved a combined expenditure limit of $200,000.00 for all contracted scene investigators for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, paid from account 1010-648.00-801.000. As part of the transition, the office also entered into a contract with a dispatch service, the cost of which was absorbed into the existing budget without a formal budget amendment. Concurrently, a staffing shortage resulting from a full-time employee's extended maternity and personal leave necessitated a more aggressive utilization of contracted personnel to maintain adequate coverage. While the office does not anticipate expending the full additional amount requested, securing the additional funds will ensure that contracted investigators are compensated promptly and without administrative interruption.
DISCUSSION:
The Medical Examiner's Office is requesting a budget amendment of $30,000.00 from the general fund to 1010-648.00-801.000 to address an unanticipated shortfall in the con...
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