Drafter
Clerk 05/01/2026
Title
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the county executive to enter into an interlocal agreement for the provision of autopsy and forensic pathology services by the King County medical examiner's office to Skagit County.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Interjurisdictional collaboration among death investigation agencies is a recognized best practice that promotes consistency in forensic standards, service continuity, and efficient use of public resources.
2. The Skagit County coroner's office is a small jurisdiction with two contracted forensic pathologists and low refrigeration space capacity for cases.
3. The King County medical examiner's office has seven full-time forensic pathologists and high capacity for storage and active examinations.
4. During times of periodic limitations in forensic pathology staffing, subspecialty expertise, or facility capacity, the Skagit county coroner's office would like to refer select cases to the King County medical examiner's office for autopsy and forensic pathology services.
5. Access to the King County medical examiner's office resources will help ensure timely, thorough, and scientifically rigorous examinations for Skagit County cases, particularly during periods of increased caseload or staffing constraints.
6. The provision of requested services is contingent upon the King County medical examiner's office capacity to provide such services.
7. For any services utilized via the attached agreement, the Skagit County coroner's office will reimburse the King County medical examiner's office according to the established fee schedule.
8. The attached interlocal agreement is entered into under the authority of chapter 39.34 RCW, which requires action by ordinance before execution.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY
SECTION 1. The county executive is hereby authorized to execute an interlocal agreement with Skagit County, in substantially the form of Attachment A to this
ordinance, necessary...
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