TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
DATE: March 28, 2025
SUBJECT: Requested Salary Increase - Chief Medical Examiner, District 19
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BACKGROUND
Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement (Medical Examiner), the Medical Examiner is an independent contractor and not an agent, servant or employee of the four Counties (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie). Dr. Patricia A. Aronica was selected, via a search committee (of the 4 County Region), and appointed (by the Governor) in 2020, as the District 19, Chief Medical Examiner. Dr. Aronica has been subsequently recommended by the Medical Examiners Commission (MEC) for reappointment by the Governor for another three-year term (2023 - 2026). By way of background information, the MEC operates from within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and is a eight (8) member commission comprised of representatives from Medical Examiners, State Attorneys, Public Defenders, County Commissioners, Sheriffs, Funeral Home Industry, Attorney General/Designee, and State Surgeon General/Designee. Prior to the MEC providing its recommendation for reappointment, surveys were mailed to the constituents of the District in January 2023. According to MEC staff, survey respondents that would have received the survey include the State Attorney, Public Defender, County Commissioners, respective Sheriff's and Chief Law Enforcement official's of counties and municipalities served, funeral directors, respective county Medical Society's, and other related organizations that are served by the Office of the Medical Examiner.
County Administration was contacted by the St. Lucie County Administrator concerning a request to increase Dr. Aronica's salary. The St. Lucie County Administrator was contacted by and informed of Dr. Aronica's intent to resign for another opportunity as the Medical Examiner of a different district within the State. It was conveyed that she was intending to resign largely due to a lower population served, the case workload, and autopsies performed in the new position. Moreover, the established salary ($510,000) for the new position is substantially higher than her current salary. St. Lucie County Administrator conferred with the State Attorney's Office, the Public Defender and the St. Lucie County Sheriff, of which he reports they all indicated the need to retain Dr. Aronica. It was additionally reported that the other three Counties were supportive of the requested salary increase due to other vacancies within the State. Discussions with MEC staff indicate there is currently one Medical Examiner vacancy (District 8) due to the former Medical Examiner being appointed as the District 2 Medical Examiner. There is an active recruitment underway for the District 8 Medical Examiner position.
The District 8 Office of Medical Examiner serves Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union Counties with a district population of 429,311. According to the 2023 Medical Examiners Commission 2023 Annual Report (issued in October 2024), District 8 had 5,142 total district deaths (Table I), of which there were 872 cases were referred (excluding cremation approvals) resulting in 426 autopsies performed, 238 bodies inspected, and 186 cases only investigated for a total work load of 850 cases (Table Ic - 2023 Workload by Death Examination). As noted in the table, Case Investigated Only means the body was not viewed by a medical examiner, although the case was investigated and certified by a medical examiner. The reported workload does not include the 3,787 cremation approval or certain other categories such as human archaeological remains or non-human remains.
In comparison, according to the MEC's 2023 Annual Report, District 19's population is 738,847, there were 9,067 total district deaths, of which there were 2,126 cases referred (excluding cremation approvals) and 1,060 case were accepted resulting in 671 autopsies performed, 118 bodies inspected, and 271 cases only investigated. Cremation approvals totaled 7,345 and 1,066 cases resulted in jurisdiction being declined as they didn't meet the requirements of Section 406.11, Florida Statutes.
County Administration reached out to the State Attorney, the Public Defender, the Sheriff, and the Chief Judge. At the time of drafting this agenda item report, State Attorney Bakkedahl expressed support noting the County should do what is necessary to retain Dr. Aronica and Public Defender Litty echoed similar support. Staff will report the sentiments of the other officials prior to or during the Board meeting.
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to Section 406.06(3), Florida Statutes, "District medical examiners and associate medical examiners shall be entitled to compensation and such reasonable salary and fees as are established by the board of county commissioners in the respective districts." The Interlocal Agreement provides that all notices or other communications be provided to the St. Lucie County Administrator with a copy to the other county administrators. As previously noted, this request comes to Indian River County based on a conversation between Medical Examiner Dr. Aronica and the St. Lucie County Administrator. The requested salary increase negotiated by the St. Lucie County Administrator to retain Dr. Aronica is $127,857 (along with benefits based on salary), and it is proposed to take effect on June 1, 2025. Dr. Aronica's current salary is $367,143, and with the request her annual salary would increase to $495,000.
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."
It is staff's understanding Dr. Aronica is considering an offer, presumably to be the District 8 Medical Examiner, and also has an offer to serve as a Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for another district in the State. Dr. Aronica has more than 23 years experience as a medical examiner, and by all accounts is highly regarded and respected among those reliant upon the services of the Office of the Medical Examiner. Her resignation would, arguably, result in a decreased level of service, albeit temporary. An interim medical examiner would need to be appointed, and the four (4) Counties would need to engage in a recruitment process to hire a Chief Medical Examiner. Additionally, Dr. Aronica has been intricately involved in the future planning needs for the District, and more specifically the new District 19 Medical Examiner's Facility.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
In terms of Indian River County's share, the County is responsible for 25.27% 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 $43,734. For the current Fiscal Year the impact would be $14,528 (salary only) based on the effective date of June 1, 2025.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
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 excluding 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
Review and consider the information contained in this agenda item, staff recommends supporting the requested increase.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Correspondence from St. Lucie County Administration
2. Medical Examiners Commission 2023 Annual Report
3. FY24/25 Amended Budget Request