Highland County coroner submits budget reductions

Highland County Coroner Dr. Paul W. Terrell has submitted a 19-percent budget reduction for 2010 as instructed by the county commissioners.

In a letter this  week, Terrell said: "It is of the utmost importance that the commissioners make note of the absolute fact that with your additional 19-percent cut, line item contracts and services, {i.e.}, autopsies and body transport, is severely underfunded. Based on statistics from recent years, the question is not if it will run out of funds; rather, the question is when will it run out."
Terrell said at such time, "Highland County will no longer be capable of having the required forensics performed due to lack of funds.

   "Further, I wish to point out that the only purchases being planned for the coroner's office this year are postage stamps and special envelopes required for death certificates. Incidentally, I have reserved a total of $42 for emergency discretionary spending for the entire year. As for your suggestion that further reductions be made 'from personnel,' that would be impossible. With bare minimum compensation of $3,600, $1,800, and $28,000 annually for my deputy, clerk, and myself, respectively, there is simply nothing left to take."