Subject:
Title
Agreement with the District Six Medical Examiner for professional services related to the Medical Examiner’s Office and Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the agreement with Jon R. Thogmartin, M.D., P.A. District Six Medical Examiner (Medical Examiner) for professional services related to the Medical Examiner’s Office and Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the agreement for three additional one-year terms from Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) to FY22 reflecting the annual budget allocation approved by the Board of County Commissioners (Board) for Medical Examiner services.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community.
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Summary:
This agreement provides FY19 funding for Medical Examiner operations and Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory services in accordance with Chapter 406, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 11G, Florida Administrative Code.
Background Information:
This agreement supports Medical Examiner operations comprising roughly 60% of the agreement budget and Forensic Laboratory operations including the Chemistry/Fire/Debris Section, the DUI Section, and the DNA Section at roughly 40% of the budget.
Under Section 406.06(3) and 406.08(1), Florida Statutes, the Board is responsible for the payment of Medical Examiner fees, salaries, and expenses. Per this agreement, the Medical Examiner will furnish all services and personnel necessary for Medical Examiner operations within Pinellas County. In 2017, the Medical Examiner accepted 1,438 Pinellas County death cases for examination, a 1% decrease from 2016. There were 701 crime scene investigations in 2017, a 3% decrease from 2016.
Additionally, the Medical Examiner agrees to furnish all services and personnel necessary to provide for Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory services as an integral part of the criminal justice system. One important community indicator for toxicology screening under this agreement showed that 258 of the death cases were substance-related deaths, a 7% decrease from 2016.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $5,805,830.00 is included in the Medical Examiner’s General Fund appropriation in the FY19 Proposed Budget inclusive of Medical Examiner operations and Forensic Laboratory services. This amount includes $951,310.00 from state and federal grant funding and fees for services charged to Pasco County.
Payments to the Medical Examiner shall be made bi-weekly for 26 billing periods in an amount not to exceed $223,301.15.
The aggregate of the first three (3) payments will be made in an amount not to exceed $669,903.45 per the terms of the agreement.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
District Six Medical Examiner
Attachments:
Medical Examiner Agreement
List of Fees for Services
Insurance Policy