TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Rollie Soria for Oscar Ortiz, Sheriff-Coroner
REPORT BY: Erin Corry, Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 3 of Agreement No. 170259B with United Forensic Services
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 170259B with United Forensic Services, P.C. for autopsy and forensic pathology services. (Fiscal Impact: $80,000 Expense; General Fund; Budgeted; Mandatory)
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BACKGROUND
The Sheriff, in his role as Coroner, is responsible for investigating all unattended, unusual or suspicious deaths in Napa County. The Sheriff and Coroner’s offices are combined, this means that every sworn deputy is also a Deputy Coroner on behalf of the Sheriff-Coroner. Deputy Coroner’s investigate each Coroner case to determine the identity of the decedent, securing of decedent’s property, notification to next of kin, and the circumstances surrounding each death. The Sheriff-Coroner and deputy coroner’s then work with a board-certified Forensic Pathologist, who assist in the investigation through file review, external examinations, and autopsies. As the medical doctor, and by statute, only the Forensic Pathologist (doctor) can determine the “Cause of Death” for Death Certificate purposes, because it is a medical diagnosis. The Sheriff-Coroner, however, is tasked with determining the Manner of Death from one of five categories: Natural, Accident, Suicide, Homicide and Undetermined. The staff of the Sheriff-Coroner and the Forensic Pathologist work as a team to provide Coroner services to the community. The Sheriff-Coroner must contract with a licensed forensic pathologist to provide this function of the county government.
Since January 2011, the Sheriff’s Office has contracted with United Forensic Services (UFS) for autopsy and pathology services. The market for experienced and licensed forensic pathologists is very competitive. According to the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) there are approximately 700 to 800 practicing forensic pathologists within the United States.
The current contract with UFS expires June 30, 2025. UFS has expressed a willingness to continue providing services to Napa County for two additional years, but at a higher cost. The additional years in the proposed contract are $80,000 more per year than what the Sheriff’s Office budgeted for FY 2025-26. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 170259B with United Forensic Services extends the term for two (2) years, through June 30, 2027. Autopsy services for FY 2025-26 is $250,000. Services for FY 2026-27 is $250,000.
Requested Actions:
Approve and authorize Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 170259B with United Forensic Services extending the term through June 30, 2027, and to revise compensation rates and scope of services.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Sheriff’s Coroner Budget (Org: 1361000, Obj: 52220) |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Sheriff’s Office is mandated to investigate all unusual, suspicious or unattended deaths in Napa County. If not approved, Sheriff’s Office would need to seek additional autopsy and pathology services with minimal or no local Forensic Pathologists available. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Funds will be budgeted accordingly in future fiscal years. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, the Sheriff’s Office will not be able to provide autopsy and forensic pathology services for deceased individuals. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.