Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that, in accordance with County Ordinance Section 3.13.030(E), the work will be performed by another governmental entity or agency; and
2) Authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 8264 between El Dorado County and Placer County to provide the facility, personnel, and equipment necessary for complete forensic pathology services on an as needed basis for a retroactive term from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, in a not to exceed amount of $75,000.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
California Government Code Section 27491 requires County Coroners to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of certain deaths, including but not limited to violent, sudden, or unusual deaths. In order to determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of these deaths, the Coroner must use forensic pathology services. The Sheriff’s Office currently operates a morgue where autopsy services are conducted. However, the contracted vendor who performs these services is not certified to provide forensic pathology services. In the past, Sacramento County had contracted with the Sheriff’s Office to provide these services, but recently notified the Sheriff’s Office that, due to their increased workload, could not provide these services any longer.
Placer County has agreed to provide complete forensic pathology services to the Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Unit for approximately one-year beginning July 1, 2023, and commencing June 30, 2024, in a not to exceed amount of $75,000 until a permanent vendor can be found.
The retroactive nature of this contract is due to the immediate need for these services after Sacramento County declined to renew their contract, and the time it took to get a new contract with Placer County in place.
ALTERNATIVES
This is to fill an immediate need for services which if not approved by the Board, will impede the Sheriff's Office Coroner's Unit investigations.
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