Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

DAYTON–The Columbia County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) heard from Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack who advised them of a change in RCW 36.16.030 that the prosecuting attorney will no longer be an ex officio coroner for counties with a population of less than 40,000 as of January, 2025.

"So, there is a change in statute that they passed a couple years ago that takes effect in 2025," said Slack. "Basically, it requires first of all and foremost for the commissioners to decide whether or not the county coroner position will be an elected or appointed position."

If the commissioners opt for an elected position, it must be decided soon. There is a six-week deadline to place an item on the ballot.

Commissioner Jack Miller was concerned on the type of individual running for the elected position; whether that person would have any medical aptitude. "It certainly seems to me that a coroner should have a medical background," said Miller. "Therefore, if we try to elect somebody, I could run for it. I don't have a medical background; I am not going to look in their pupils and tell what the hell is happening. So, you can't very well have an open election, can you?" The county coroner, whether elected or appointed, must complete a certified training course.

Slack mentioned he had an acquaintance who is a retired nurse that he would recommend for the appointment by the commissioners. "I can tell you I had one person approach me who is a retired nurse, and she was kinda interested in doing this and I was trying to point her in the right direction of getting the classes and education necessary for that if you guys put it out for appointment," said Slack.

The BOCC questioned the cost between electing to appointing. It would cost the county to place the position on the ballot; they would need an office for the coroner; and create a budget for the position.

Commissioner Marty Hall suggested considering an interlocal agreement option with another county that has a coroner. Columbia County could then pay for services as needed.

"Could we solicit this on a per-case basis that we would pay say $5,000 per death, asked Hall? "And it's up to you [the coroner] to average it out to the one that is going to take two weeks of your time and the one that is going to take two hours of your time?"

Slack responded it was a possibility to work through another county. On average Columbia County has between 12-14 deaths requiring a coroner a year, although Slack expects that number to rise over the coming years based on the fentanyl crisis and the average rising age of the community.

"To me the most logical one [option] is if we somehow contract with a larger county that is close enough to have a reasonable response that has a 24-hour coroner," said Slack.

The two closest are Asotin County and Walla Walla County.

The commissioners have decided to take a week to look over the recommendations and do more research. They will make a decision on this at a special meeting on March 25.

In other business, the BOCC approved a job description for a shop mechanic for the public works department, and a job title and description update for Human Resources for the Operations Manager. In addition, they are sending a letter of support to the City of Dayton to assist in the grant application process for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project.