photo by: Douglas County, Kansas

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister speaks to Douglas County commissioners at their Feb. 16, 2022, meeting.

The Douglas County Commission at its meeting on Wednesday unanimously approved implementing a civilian-based coroner scene investigation unit to be managed by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

That unit, also known as CSI, will assist with scene investigations involving unattended deaths, which include homicides, suicides, accidental and unexpected deaths, among others. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical currently does scene investigations, but concerns arose that such an arrangement affects the availability of emergency medical services.

Kansas law requires that the county coroner determine the cause and manner of all unattended deaths. Coroner scene investigators assist with this determination by responding to scenes where someone has died and collecting relevant information.

The funds for establishing a CSI unit have already been set aside in the 2022 budget in anticipation of the shift from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical to the sheriff’s office, County Administrator Sarah Plinsky said. Estimates provided to the commission recommend a startup cost of $140,760 and an ongoing annual cost of $225,164. That includes hiring two full-time staff members, along with additional on-call staff to fill any gaps in service.

“I do want to really thank our partners with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical, who have been helpful and vital in this process as we’ve examined our options, and who have agreed to continue in a transition arrangement while we get staff on, ensuring they’re trained and ensuring we have practices in place,” Plinsky said.

In other business Wednesday, commissioners:

• Gave authorization to reimburse Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health $264,000 for coronavirus test kits.

• Discussed possible changes to the health care plan offered to county employees, but deferred voting on them.

• Unanimously approved a service agreement with the United Way of Douglas County and the Eudora Library to provide one-time funding to support a Peer Community Navigator pilot project. The project aims to help people navigate resources concerning poverty, homelessness, mental illness and addiction.