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 opportu...
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