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Discussion Regarding Departure of Lake County and Seminole County From Interlocal Agreement for Cost Share of Medical Examiner Services
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
As the Board is aware from a November 18, 2025, Correspondence to Note (CTN) item (Legistar No. 16602), and prior discussions, Lake County is proposing to leave Medical Examiner District 5, of which Hernando County is a member, and is seeking approval from the Florida Medical Examiner Commission to join Medical Examiner District 24 which is currently comprised of only Seminole County. Such action would impact Hernando County’s share of costs associated with Medical Examiner District 5 in general, and of costs associated with a new Medical Examiner’s facility, which were originally agreed upon to be shared and paid for by all participating District 5 counties as well as Seminole County.
In the November 2025, CTN item, Marion County expressly opposed Lake County’s departure from District 5, and proposed a conditional counter-offer in which it would affirmatively support of Lake County’s departure if all District 5 counties and Seminole County work together to obtain state funding for the construction of a new Medical Examiner facility to be used by the remaining District 5 counties (Citrus, Hernando, Marion, and Sumter). In the proposal, Lake and Seminole would continue using the existing facility in Leesburg and permit the remaining District 5 counties use of that facility until State funding is obtained and a new Medical Examiner facility is constructed. Marion County is now seeking Hernando County’s position on the proposed counter-offer.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Undetermined at this time.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board is authorized to act on this matter pursuant to Chapters 125, 406, and 163, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Board discuss Marion County’s proposed counter-offer and provide staff with direction.