Kootenai County authorizes emergency coroner funding after Spokane ends autopsy relationship

Kootenai County commissioners approved Resolution 2025-98 on Dec. 30 to authorize an emergency release of funds so the county coroner can stand up temporary autopsy capacity after the Spokane Medical Examiner terminated its service agreement.

Dr. Johnson, the county coroner, told the board Spokane's Medical Examiner terminated the autopsy relationship with very short notice and that other regional facilities were unable or too costly to handle additional cases. "The beds alone are 22,000," Dr. Johnson said when describing equipment needs, and he estimated the county would likely need "probably $40,000" to become operable in a short period. He said the release would allow procurement of beds, lighting and other equipment and enable the county to be operable and better positioned to attract medical examiners.

Brandy Falcon clarified that the funds Dr. Johnson sought would come from the coroner lab construction assigned fund balance and that the board wanted to be kept informed if expenditures exceeded $40,000. The board moved to approve the emergency expenditure resolution; the motion was seconded and commissioners voted aye.

Dr. Johnson said negotiations with Spokane were ongoing and that the county would update the board as matters progressed. Staff told the board they would avoid duplicate purchases of equipment already being bought by other parties where possible.