HomeMy WebLinkAboutConsent HEARING NOTICE re Coroner Ordinance JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: James Kennedy,Prosecuting Attorney
Melissa Pleimann, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
DATE: December 2,2024
SUBJECT: Approval of a Public Hearing Notice: An Ordinance Establishing the Office
of the Coroner and Appointment of Coroner in Jefferson County
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Board of County Commissioners held a second workshop on October 7, 2024 to discuss updates
from the Attorney General's Opinion dated August 22, 2024 interpreting the statutory changes to
RCW 36.16.030 effective January 1, 2025 as prohibiting the Prosecuting Attorney from continuing to
serve as the ex officio coroner. In light of the change in the law, the Board directed staff to prepare a
proposed ordinance that reflects the most cost-effective option of establishing a separate Office of the
Coroner and appointing a qualified individual to serve as the coroner for Jefferson County. Attached is
a proposed hearing notice for a public hearing to adopt the Coroner Code. If the Board approves the
publication of the hearing notice the hearing will take place on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 3:30
p.m. in the Board Chambers in the County Courthouse.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed ordinance, if adopted, would establish the separate Office of the Coroner for Jefferson
County and establish the procedures an appointed coroner must follow. This ordinance would ensure
compliance with the current laws in the State of Washington.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There was a request to increase the budget for the coroner function for the year of 2025. Our analysis is that
the minimum budget increase going forward for this separate Coroner's Office will be estimated to increase
by $18,000.00 from prior budgets.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the attached hearing notice for publication.
REVIEWED BY:
Mark McCaul , ounty Administrator Date
Please publish 2 times: December 4 and December 11, 2024
Contact Person: Adiel McKnight
Bill to: Jefferson County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Establishing a separate Office of the Coroner
and appointing a non-lawyer Coroner in Jefferson County
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing is scheduled by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners for MONDAY, December /6, 2024 at 3:30 n.nm. in the Commissioners' Chambers,
County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Notice of said public hearing
is to be published in the official newspaper of Jefferson County.
This hearing is to discuss the proposed ordinance that reflects the most cost-effective option of
establishing a separate Office of the Coroner and appointing a qualified individual to serve as the
coroner for Jefferson County. This ordinance would ensure compliance with the current laws in the
State of Washington.
The draft ordinance is available for viewing on the County website by clicking on:
www.co.jefferson.wa.us and follow this pathway—Services—Laserfiche Web Portal (username and
password is: public) - Board of Commissioners—BOCC Agenda Packets—2024 Weekly Agenda
Items— 12 December— 121624 -HEARING re Coroner Ordinance
You are welcome to participate in this hearing. You will need to join the meeting by 3:30 p.m. using
the following methods: VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link:
https://zoom.us/i/93777841705, PHONE: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter access code: 937-7784-
1705#and press *9 to"raise your hand"to be called upon. Access for the hearing impaired can be
accommodated using Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6384,or IN-PERSON: In the BOCC
Chambers.
If you experience difficulties joining the meeting or viewing documents please call 360-385-9100 to
report any issues.
In addition,additional written testimony is also invited beginning on December 2, 2024 and ending on
December 16,2024 at the end of the Public Hearing,unless extended by the Board of County
Commissioners. Written public testimony may be submitted by Email to:jeffbocc�,co.jefferson.wa.us
You may view testimony received by clicking here: www.co.jefferson.wa.us and follow this pathway—
Services—Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public) -Board of Commissioners—
BOCC Agenda Packets—2024 Weekly Agenda Items— 12 December— 121624 -HEARING re
Coroner Ordinance
You can also Mail your testimony to: Jefferson County Commissioners' Office; P.O. Box 1220, Port
Townsend, WA 98368. Written testimony must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by
the end of the hearing testimony period.
Signed this 2"d day of December, 2024.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/S/Kate Dean, Chair