County contracts Medical Examiner Investigators

By Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

May 08, 2008 11:37 am

— CLINTON — Clinton County is contracting with individuals as Medical Examiner Investigators to provide assistance to the county coroner.
During the weekly meeting of the Clinton County Board of Supervisors on Monday, Assistant Mental Health Coordinator Kim Ralston detailed the status of the MEI program the county began earlier this year. She said two individuals have attended the MEI training and signed contracts with the county. After the attending the Medical Examiners 101 session held April 11, the county has signed training and service agreements with Nick Neblung and Chris Clark.
On Monday, the board approved a Medical Examiner Investigator service contract with Ray Ackerman. Ralston asked the board whether one individual who paid the $775 for the five-day training course out of his own pocket, might be reimbursed for the expense. She advised that the two other individuals who attended the training were compensated for meals, travel and lodging.
Board Chairman Grant Wilke said he would be in favor of the county reimbursing the expense because taking the training at one’s own expense shows initiative and commitment. County Auditor Charlie Sheridan said he would examine the county’s expenses in June and advise the board how the expense could be reimbursed, potentially paying a portion of the cost in the current fiscal year and a portion in the new fiscal year.
Ralston then discussed a bill for transportation of a deceased person from a funeral home outside the county she thinks may be inordinately high. She said most transportation bills range from $295 to $1,235, but the county received one bill for $1,875 claiming nine hours of work at $75 per hour equaling $675 and mileage of $3 per mile for 400 miles equaling $1,200. She said County Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Petersen is examining what can be done to minimize transportation costs and may set a reasonable rate the county is willing to pay and send requests for proposals, in an effort to establish a list of transportation providers the county will utilize.
Later in the agenda, County Zoning Administrator Paul Ketelsen explained details of the divestiture of five acres of county property known as the Kunau property during a public hearing. Ketelsen said the divestiture excludes the road right-of-way for 270th Avenue. Supervisor Jill Davisson said she believes the county has an easement to the property, which was condemned according to quarry records. Davisson said she sees no reason for the county to hold on to the property.
Supervisor Dennis Starling said the county likely can abandon the easement rights to the quarry and sign a quit claim deed.
Wilke agreed he thinks there is no need for the property by the county, now or in the future.
Case Management Director Patti Robinson questioned the board about the potential construction of a new building at the Administration Building for the purpose of storing new voting machines and county vehicles. Davisson said the county does not have the funding currently to build the new facility. Wilke said the board is “leaning toward a new building.” Sheridan advised the board that officials with the Discovery Center have mentioned the possibility of the county leasing 3,000 square feet from the center at its potential new facility. He said Discovery Center officials assured him that a secure area in the new facility would be constructed. Sheridan added that he was advised by state officials that if the machines are housed elsewhere, a computer connection with the voting system equipment company would be available.