The coroner asked the Judicial & Public Safety Committee on Aug. 14 for a roughly 23% increase to the office’s 2026 budget, saying autopsy and toxicology expenses have been the largest drivers of recent overspending and that an in‑house forensic laboratory could reduce long‑term costs.

“Perhaps the most important numbers … toxicology can be anywhere between $250 to $600 per case,” the coroner said, adding her office’s average toxicology cost was “right under $500 per case,” and that 2024 toxicology spending was $134,896 with year‑to‑date totals in 2025 of about $111,000. She also reported autopsy costs typically run about $1,750, and 2024 autopsy expenditures totaled about $466,100.

The coroner said her office is short staffed—five full‑time deputy coroners with one on restricted/light duty—and estimated a minimum staffing need of eight deputy coroners to meet statutory responsibilities. She said vacancies increase case-processing time and leave families waiting for death‑certificate finalization.

On plans to reduce testing costs, the coroner described work with the state’s attorney and sheriff’s office to establish a county forensic laboratory (Cain Lab). She said contracts for facility work have been signed, construction has begun, and accreditation could begin after the lab meets environmental and facility conditions; lab staff and equipment testing and accreditation will take time. “This is one of the ways that we are going to be able to save a significant amount of money,” she said, estimating the lab project could take multiple years.

Committee members asked for the coroner’s current-year figures and the impact if the requested increase is not approved; the coroner said the office is operating short‑staffed and families sometimes wait hours for a deputy to respond. No committee vote was taken; the presentation and accompanying materials were accepted for review.