County appoints Tamara Green as interim coroner amid statutory change; council sets interim pay proposal

San Juan County Council on Dec. 23 appointed Tamara Green, office manager in the prosecuting attorney's office, as interim San Juan County coroner effective Jan. 1, 2025, following a change in state law that ends the prosecuting attorney's automatic coroner role for counties under 40,000.

Prosecuting Attorney Amy Rivera told council the Legislature revised the law so that, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the prosecuting attorney is no longer ex officio coroner in certain counties; legislative authorities must either appoint a coroner or submit the office to voters. Rivera proposed an interim appointment to maintain continuity while the county develops a longer-term plan.

Rivera proposed a compensation approach intended to make the post workable: a $1,000-per-month base and a per-call fee higher than the existing deputy coroner rate of $150. Council discussed making the callout fee $300 and adding an hourly rate beyond an initial two-hour callout period (calculated based on the appointee's salary). Councilmembers supported placing the word "interim" in the resolution and asked that the county manager be authorized to negotiate modifications and to revisit compensation as necessary. Rivera also noted training requirements under the new law with the next training in March and a statutory deadline (training completed by July 1). The council moved to approve a resolution appointing Tamara Green as interim coroner; the motion passed by voice vote.

Council members thanked Green and noted the appointment is intended to be temporary; additional planning and possible training arrangements are needed for a long-term solution.