Supervisors flag limited body‑removal capacity and nearly $27,000 in related costs

The Mills County Board of Supervisors heard a new‑business update about limited local capacity for body removal after accidents and reported related costs approaching $27,000.

A supervisor told the board that only two providers — named in the discussion as George Anne Peterson and Scott Ericson — are authorized to remove bodies within Mills County. The speaker said crews sometimes must wait for an available provider, describing one incident in which a crew waited about two and a half hours. The speaker said the county has spent "approximately, believe it or not, almost $27,000" on removals and autopsies.

Staff said they are investigating alternatives, including asking an Omaha‑based company about costs to respond and transport remains to Douglas County. The speaker cautioned that jurisdictional rules can require certain types of cases to go to other medical examiners (Ankeny was mentioned for suspicious cases), which can affect where remains are taken and which entity performs autopsies.

Board reaction centered on exploring options and understanding costs; no procurement or contract award occurred at the meeting. The board adjourned at 9:13 a.m.

Numbers and next steps: The $27,000 figure was presented as an approximate cumulative amount for removals and autopsies; staff will follow up with cost estimates from alternative providers and report back to the board.