Commission moves $7,800 indigent-burial line to coroner's budget; statute requires funding when standards met

Newton County commissioners voted Jan. 6 to transfer the county's indigent/pauper burial administrative budget line into the coroner's office, a move county staff said would clarify administration of payments. County Manager James Brown presented the transfer and identified the amount discussed as $7,800.

During discussion the coroner (speaker identified in the record) explained the county currently pays up to $300 for an indigent or pauper burial when the decedent dies in Newton County. The coroner told the board she was exploring options and that if the line item moved into her office she would consider a policy that might increase the assistance amount, but she also noted that statutory obligations control eligibility and the county must fund eligible indigent burials even if the line is exhausted.

County counsel (speaker 14) told the board that state statute requires the county to provide burial assistance when the statutory criteria are met and that depletion of the line would not excuse the county from that obligation. Commissioners discussed whether $300 or a higher amount would better serve families and noted practical logistics such as cemetery space previously acquired by the county.

The board made and approved a motion to move the line item to the coroner's budget by voice vote (tally not recorded).