04-07-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—April 7, 2014 4281 Mr. Vanyo said initially he was concerned with significant increases to the County Coroner's budget, considering this was a relatively small budget in the recent past. However, he sees this proposal today as an opportunity to acquire space that will meet the county's needs at a reasonable cost. He is willing to proceed with the plans for space at the Sunmart building with the assurance that the cost presented today will not increase. The cost for the new space was not budgeted this year. Michael Montplaisir, Cass County Auditor, said based on the timeline provided by Fargo, the county would need to pay 65% of the cost this year with the remainder in 2015. He said the county has $9 million in reserves, which would need to be used in 2014. The remaining expense could be included in the County Coroner's budget for next year. Mr. Bennett said the County Coroner is an independent judicial office and currently staff reports to the County Administrator. He said it could be a conflict of interest if the office was under the supervision of the County Sheriff. He said 75%-80% of the business conducted by the coroner involves the Fargo Police Department, and the new building will include a police substation. He is unsure if the Coroner's Office belongs in a future juvenile detention facility. He believes the proposed space in the Sunmart building will provide a long-term professional facility for the coroner. Mr. Pawluk asked about potential technology issues with the Coroner's Office being located at a different site. Terry Schmaltz, IT Director, said fiber optic lines would need to be connected from the Cass County Jail to the new building at a cost of around $38,000, which is included in the total cost provided today. Mr. Pawluk agrees with all of the concerns and comments made by commissioners. He said if the county does not pursue this proposal, the current office space and proposed storage location could continue to be located at the Cass County Courthouse. He said the new building includes a room to perform autopsies, and he questioned its necessity since they are currently performed in Bismarck and Grand Forks. Dr. John Baird, County Coroner, said there is no requirement that the county must have state pathologists conduct autopsies. The proposed facility does have an adequate examination room and if necessary, autopsies could be performed. He said this option would save on transportation costs. He said an interim legislative committee is studying autopsy costs to determine how much the state and counties should pay for this service. Mrs. Scherling asked if tissue or organs could be harvested in the proposed space at the Fargo Cass Public Health building, and whether LifeSource has been contacted about the possibility. LifeSource is a company used in this area that deals with organ and tissue donation. Dr. Baird said the new space would be able to accommodate tissue harvesting. Mr. Peterson is in the process of beginning discussions with LifeSource about this option. MOTION, passed Mr. Bennett moved and Mr. Peterson seconded to direct the County Administrator to advise the City of Fargo that Cass County would like to proceed with plans to remodel space in the former Sunmart building (proposed Fargo Cass Public Health building) for the County Coroner at a cost of approximately $408,000 plus design costs and ongoing utility and maintenance costs. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.