Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer approached the Starke County Council Monday night seeking additional funds to help pay autopsy fees.
Hoffer explained that three cases of accidental overdoses have caused additional expenses that his budget doesn’t allow. The cost of an autopsy is $1,600 and sometimes more depending on the forensic pathologist used. Hoffer said he typically uses the service of a forensic pathologist south of Indianapolis as his fee is $1,500 while the fee in South Bend is $3,200 and $2,800 in Fort Wayne.
He noted that it’s hard to judge how much funding is needed for fees at budget time as the number of autopsies fluctuates from year to year. An outstanding balance of $10,000 for autopsy fees has yet to be billed to the county.
Hoffer is also looking to pay for supplies.
The council suggested looking at the invoices next month and then making a decision how to pay for them at that time. Rainy Day funds may be able to get the coroner’s office out of this round of debt.
