Kent County committee recommends MSU hires for chief and deputy medical examiners, discusses facility funding

The Kent County Policy & Ops Committee voted to recommend appointment of Dr. Amanda Fischer Hubard as the county’s chief medical examiner and Dr. Nicholas Castile as deputy medical examiner, both recommended by Michigan State University following an MSU-led recruitment process. The committee forwarded the recommendation to the full Board of Commissioners for final appointment.

Administrator Al said Dr. Cole will move to part-time, that Dr. D. Young has been filling the deputy role while also serving as a dean at Michigan State, and that MSU ‘‘ran a very robust process’’ and selected the two candidates from WMED in Kalamazoo County. Al told the committee that ‘‘per state law, this board has to appoint a medical examiner’’ and that MSU has been contracted to provide the medical examiner function.

Commissioners asked about oversight and the county’s ongoing role now that MSU operates the service. Al said the county retains oversight through its contract: MSU is a partner but Kent County remains responsible for contract oversight, and the administrator’s office will act on the board’s behalf if performance issues arise. Al said negotiations continue over potential facility options and that whether the county or MSU bears building costs depends on the intended footprint: if the space is solely for medical examiner functions the county would be responsible; if MSU’s broader forensic institute needs more space, cost sharing is possible.

Commissioner Stack reminded the committee that the county previously committed about $6 million in ARPA funds for a medical examiner facility and sought clarification whether that commitment still applies. Al said negotiations with a building owner are advancing but that details and the extent of MSU’s financial participation remain unresolved.

The committee motion to recommend appointment was moved by Commissioner Dbor, supported by Commissioner Lrand, and approved in committee; the item will go to the full board on June 11. The transcript does not include vote tallies.