Sponsor: Safety and Justice
Title
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Joint Powers Agreement with Washington County to provide Medical Examiner Services
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with Washington County to provide medical examiner services.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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The Ramsey County Medical Examiner Office currently has a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Washington County to provide medical examiner services, which was executed in March 2011. With several changes that have occurred within the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office since 2011, an updated JPA was created to incorporate the changes.
On November 23, 2021, Ramsey County appointed Kelly Mills, M.D. as Medical Examiner which has been reflected in the agreement. The JPA also updates the payment calculation for each autopsy, provides a list of direct and indirect cost that Washington County will pay on a pro rata percentage. At the request of Washington County, the agreement will also renew automatically for up to four one-year periods. At the end of the four-year period a new agreement will need to be established.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
There is no direct racial equity impact linked with this agreement.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There was no direct community participation in the development of this Joint Powers Agreement. 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 JPA with Washington County covers both direct and indirect cost for medical examiner services based on percent of actual cases to actual expenditures. In a rolling three-year average, Ramsey County invoiced Washington County roughly $549,000 for their allocated costs. The Ramsey County’s annual medical examiner caseload are contributed to Washington County is 17%. Expenditures and revenues resulting from this agreement has been budgeted in the biennial budget and has no net fiscal impact to the Medical Examiner’s budget.
Last Previous Action
On March 22, 2011, the Ramsey County Board approved a Joint Powers Agreement to provide medical examiner services for Washington County (Resolution B2011-111).
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement