TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
DATE: April 28, 2025
SUBJECT: Revised Requested Salary Increase - Chief Medical Examiner, District 19
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BACKGROUND
Subsequent to the April 8, 2025, BOCC regular meeting, representatives from our partner counties requested to meet and discuss the request by Dr. Aronica for a salary increase. Chairman Flescher, representatives from St. Lucie County, Martin County, Okeechobee County, and I met on Friday, April 25, 2025.
During the discussion, representatives of our partner counties expressed the desire to retain Dr. Aronica as the District 19 Medical Examiner, of which her salary was the primary discussion point. Midway through the meeting Dr. Aronica was invited into the meeting to join the discussion. Dr. Aronica noted since her tenure the office eliminated the backlog of cases, the office had become accredited, and the office had applied and received $380,000 in grants to offset the budget for capital such as vehicles and a new electronic record database, as well as fund a part-time IT employee. Additionally, she noted she's been involved in working with the design team to ensure the district builds an appropriate facility specific to the needs of the community, and with that she's been judicious in monitoring costs. In addition to her 23 years experience, she's tripled board certified, and she's seeking to be reasonably and fairly compensated for her experience and work thus far. Lastly, Dr. Aronica emphasized she enjoys the community and doesn't want to leave.
ANALYSIS
Following Dr. Aronica stepping out of the meeting, the discussion concerning her salary continued. Concerns were expressed that the loss of Dr. Aronica would affect the current level of service, require a search for a replacement that may take 6 to 9 months, and the future base salary may be close to Dr. Aronica's request, but for a medical examiner with less experience and standing. Dr. Aronica currently salary is $367,143, of which she initially sought an increase to be compensated at $515,000 and after discussions reduced the request to $495,000 ($127,854 increase). Okeechobee and Martin counties voted unanimously to approve the request, St. Lucie County has not voted, and on April 8, 2025, Indian River County voted unanimously against the requested increase.
Consensus amongst the four-county representatives was reached to offer Dr. Aroncia a salary of $460,000 annually, this represents a $92,857 salary increase. For Indian River County in the upcoming Fiscal Year, this amounts to $22,100 plus salary based benefits, such as Florida Retirement System contribution. By way of comparison, at $415,000 offered during the April 8, 2025, BOCC meeting the Indian River County portion would have been $11,390 plus salary based benefits in the upcoming Fiscal Year.
Representatives of the other counties, acknowledging the need that all parties to the ILA consent to the decision, offered if Indian River County were unable or unwilling to fund its share of the salary increase (at $460,000) the other counties would fund the difference amongst themselves. They indicated it was not their preference but felt it necessary to retain Dr. Aronica. The Second Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement (Medical Examiner) between the four counties was approved by the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners on September 18, 2018, on the Consent Agenda. This request would require an amendment to increase the Office of the Medical Examiner's budget, of which Section 3 of the ILA provides the procedure to review and approve the medical examiner's budget. More specifically, as it relates to increasing the approved budget, "The Counties agree that the proposed budget may not be increased without the consent of all four (4) counties."
As discussed at the four-county meeting, Indian River County BOCC has three options to consider:
1. Agree to the annual salary (at $460,000) and fully fund its share (23.8% or $22,100 for Fiscal Year 2025/2026)
2. Agree to the alternate proposal presented by our partner counties and determine what amount the Board is will to fund related to the salary increase request and agree to the other counties funding the difference.
3. Do not consent to the requested salary increase.
County Administration recommends option 1. As previously indicated on April 8, 2025, I believe District 19 (and County) would experience as reduction in level of service while the four-counties engage in a search for Dr, Aronica's replacement. Additionally, I concur with the sentiments of several members at the four-county meeting, the starting salary for a new medical examiner may be close to or at the requested salary, and the District may not attract equally qualified candidates.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
In terms of Indian River County's share, the County is responsible for 25.27% (for the current Fiscal Year) of the expenses related to the Office of the Medical Examiner. Thus, if approved, the annual salary increase amount for which Indian River County would be responsible is $23,465. For the current Fiscal Year the impact would be $7,822 (salary only) based on the effective date of June 1, 2025.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
On April 8, 2025, the BOCC did not approve the requested salary increase to $495,000,
On September 18, 2018, the BOCC approved the Second Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement (Medical Examiner), and on September 18, 2024, the BOCC adopted the Final Budget which included Indian River County's portion of the Office of the Medical Examiner's ($808,490).
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
Approval of future Office of Medical Examiner's budgets, that may include Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). As required by the ILA, staff has already received the Office of Medical Examiner's proposed FY25/26 budget. The request includes a 3.0% COLA for employees with no increase proposed for the Chief Medical Examiner's position; however, the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner's salary is proposed to increase by more than 8% ($23,386) to $310,336.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
While there is no specific goal that directly relates to the Office of the Medical Examiner, services provided affect public safety and quality of life.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Review and consider the information contained in this agenda item, staff recommends supporting the requested increase to $460,000 annually.