Montcalm County commissioners on Monday authorized staff to proceed with procurement and site work to house a computed tomography (CT) scanner intended for medical examiner/autopsy use.

Controller and staff said the county previously budgeted for a CT unit. County staff recommended buying a preconstructed building (16x32) and installing a slab and three-phase electrical service to support the scanner. Staff estimated that building, concrete and electrical work would likely total between $55,000 and $75,000; the board moved to approve those procurement steps with a not-to-exceed figure discussed during the meeting. The county estimated the CT unit itself and lead shielding would raise total project costs to roughly $280,000 by project completion. Commissioners also discussed heating/cooling and lead-lined walls as required for safe operation.

County staff said the original CT funding came from marijuana-related revenue and that the unit could serve neighboring counties under contract. The board moved and supported proceeding with the project; the motion carried. Commissioners also asked staff to return with a resolution or contract extension for existing medical examiner (ME) services to cover the county while implementation proceeds.

Sheriff’s office representatives and staff attending the meeting expressed support for the project as a tool for local death investigations and to reduce travel for forensic imaging.