County proposes changes to medical examiners

Union County Board of Supervisors met with Jennifer Worisek Monday to review situations related to the county’s medical examiner positions. No decisions were made.

In Iowa, any death that is due to injury, sudden or outside the presence of a physician must be investigated by an county-appointed medical examiner. The county medical examiner is called to the scene of death to examine the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding a death. The county medical examiner or their investigator interviews witnesses and family members, photographs the scene and determines the need for an autopsy.

Supervisors have noticed occasional claims where examiners work cost more than what was expected. Last year in May, supervisors approved a $50 increase to $200 per case, not by hour. Exactly how long each case is isn’t the same, Worisek said.

“‘A suicide is always going to be this way.’ That’s not the case,” she said emphasizing how details of each case change.

Supervisors are wondering if there is a way to quantify the amount of work for each case. Supervisor Dennis Hopkins explained how Clinton County’s plan may be a good one to consider. Clinton County pays $200 per case plus mileage when needed. After the second hour of work, the examiner receives $26 per additional hour. He did not know the reasoning using $26.

“So a three-hour case would be paid $226,” he said.

Worisek said there are factors to consider during investigation.

“At a car accident sometimes you have to wait for the state,” she said how examiners arrive on scene before some other officials. “We don’t want to be called at the end.”

She said Ringgold County’s base pay for examiners is $250 and that includes “easy calls.”

“Some are more heightened,” she said.

Worisek said she is one of seven examiners in Union County. Five of them are most active and on a schedule.

Other issues for examiners was discussed. Worisek asked if the county has an official employee identification badge. She said an ID would be helpful in places where law enforcement on scene may not know all of the examiners. Worisek was suggested to see Union County Emergency Management about creating ID badges.

Union County medical examiners are not included in the county’s liability insurance. Supervisors and other county officials will do further research.

Supervisors were also favorable to the examiners being included in the state’s training programs.

“We didn’t get a chance to learn to do the job properly,” Worisek claimed, adding there have been no concerns about the quality of the work. There are fees for the state training plans.

In other county news...

Supervisors approved a plan to ensure and protect the sheriff’s department budget for fiscal year 2025. The fiscal year begins July 1. Supervisor Chairman Dennis Hopkins said with Sheriff Mark Shepherd leaving the position the end of the calendar year, supervisors want to make sure the next sheriff still has a valid budget to work with until June 30, 2025. Shepherd’s term ends Dec. 31.

“It is not a reflection on Mark,” Hopkins said. “We don’t want the next to start behind the eight ball.”

A new patrol vehicle is scheduled to be purchased by the end of 2024.

Brian Bolton is a candidate for sheriff.