Sponsor: Safety and Justice
Title
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Reappointment of the Ramsey County Medical Examiner and Amendment to Agreement for Forensic Services
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Recommendation
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1. Reappoint Kelly Mills, M.D. as the Medical Examiner of Ramsey County from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
2. Approve the amendment with Kelly Mills, 3486 Crosslough Trail, Rosemount, MN, 55068, DBA River Valley Forensic Services, PA, for a one-year period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, with up to two annual renewals by Ramsey County Board-approved amendment, in an amount of $827,067 per year.
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the amendment.
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Background and Rationale
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The agreement and appointment of Kelly Mills, M. D. as Ramsey County Medical Examiner will expire on December 31, 2021. The County Manager is requesting the board to approve the amendment and to reappoint Dr. Mills as the County Medical Examiner for the period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. The amendment includes a rate increase of 2.5 percent per the terms of the agreement and all remaining terms of the agreement will remain in effect.
Minnesota State Statute 390.005 requires Ramsey County to maintain and operate a public morgue and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners to appoint a qualified Medical Examiner for a term not longer than four years. The Medical Examiner serves as the appointed public official with administrative control of a mandated system of death investigation. Dr. Kelly M. Mills, M.D. satisfies the qualifications, certifications and licensing requirements to serve as a Medical Examiner for Ramsey County.
River Valley Forensic Services, PA. is an incorporated professional association of Dr. Kelly Mills and three forensic pathologists, who all maintain the required qualifications for Medical Examiner services. Dr. Mills will be responsible for investigations, autopsies, toxicological and laboratory analysis for Ramsey County. Dr. Mills is also responsible for the work of non-medical personnel employed by the county and assigned to the Medical Examiner's Office.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Medical Examiner’s Office participates in the Safety and Justice Race Equity Action Team and is committed to finding ways for inclusive, effective and meaningful community engagement with Ramsey County’s diverse, cultural and communities. In partnering with the Race Equity Action Team the Medical Examiner’s Office is able to reach out to the community to answer questions regarding investigations or provide information regarding services provided by the Medical Examiner’s Office for the different cultures within Ramsey County.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Medical Examiner is an independent official of the county and is subject only to appointment, removal, and budgeting by the Ramsey County Board.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
This renewal is a rate-setting agreement with no maximum value and funding for contracted Medical Examiner services is included in the proposed 2022-23 operating budget.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
On December 22, 2020, the Ramsey County Board reappointed Kelly Mills, M. D. as Medical Examiner for a term ending on December 31, 2021 and authorized the Medical Examiner to appoint a First Assistant Medical Examiner (Resolution B2020-273).
On December 17, 2019, the Ramsey County Board appointed Kelly Mills, M. D. as Medical Examiner for a term ending on December 31, 2020, approved an amendment with River Valley Forensic Services R.A. who purchased M. B. McGee, P.A. and agreed to fulfill the remaining terms of the contract, and authorized the Medical Examiner to appoint a First Assistant Medical Examiner (Resolution B2019-309).
Attachments
1. Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Kelly Mills dba River Valley Forensic Services, PA