BOS

R1

That the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors allocate funding for a facility specifically designed as a Coroner’s Bureau, built to meet the current recommended standards of the National Association of Medical Examiners. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is unwarranted. The Sheriff-Coroner is able to successfully manage the autopsy caseload and decedent storage requirement with the current design of the facility. The Sheriff-Coroner averages 5 autopsies per month.

R2

That the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors specify that the Coroner’s facility be designed with two autopsy rooms, a toxicology lab, an isolation room, and a refrigeration room. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is unwarranted. The Sheriff-Coroner is able to successfully manage the autopsy caseload with one autopsy suite. The current autopsy suite is constructed with a filtered, negative air flow pressure system, allowing Coroner’s Bureau personnel to conduct autopsies on high risk exposure cases. The Sheriff-Coroner currently utilizes a contracted post-mortem certified toxicology laboratory for all post-mortem toxicology needs. Designing and building an independent toxicology laboratory is unnecessary and costly with little perceived benefit to the County. Additionally, the current Coroner’s Facility is properly equipped with refrigeration storage based on the current and future needs of the Sheriff-Coroner. In regards to an isolation room, the Coroner’s Facility is equipped with an outside refrigerated box designated for decedents who are decomposed or have known infectious disease. Attachment A

R9

That the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors require that the Sheriff-Coroner’s Bureau meet the standards for accreditation set by the National Association of Medical Examiners and the National Academy of Sciences, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is unwarranted; it is not a requirement or mandate, only a recommendation by the US Department of Justice. Additionally, the accreditation process is costly and will provide little benefit to the Sheriff-Coroner or the County population. The Sheriff- Coroner will reconsider this recommendation in the future if funding becomes available.

R10

That the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors separate the Santa Barbara County Coroner position and make it independent from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff when the current Sheriff- Coroner’s term expires. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is unwarranted. The Sheriff’s Department has successfully overseen the Coroner’s Bureau for many years. Making it an independent operation or transferring it to another department is unnecessary and costly with little perceived benefit to the County population. Attachment A