Okaloosa County commits $3.8M for new medical examiner's office in Santa Rosa County

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Commission on Tuesday agreed to an interlocal agreement to fund and construct a new medical examiner's facility in Santa Rosa County.

The agreement would cost Okaloosa County $3.8 million, with an initial payment of $750,000.

Here is what we know.

Background

The District One Medical Examiner's Office in Pensacola serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. The main issue that led to this interlocal agreement was the aging medical examiner's facility. According to documents in the agenda packet, the facility is "substandard and in need of replacement or expansion."

According to those documents, this has been an issue facing officials in Northwest Florida since 2021.

"Our death numbers have been on the rise, and we have surpassed our space capacity to function and find it difficult to complete the statutory duties of the ME's office," State Attorney Ginger Madden said in an email to Santa Rosa County Commissioner Dave Piech.

The new 21,865-square-foot facility would be on 9 acres in Santa Rosa County. The site would be off Avalon Boulevard near Interstate 10.

According to an email from Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, the new facility would reduce the current distance, which is 67 miles one way, almost in half. The move would save the department time and money.

Financial Impact

The project budget is estimated at $18.65 million, down from the original $24 million.

Funding sources already are $2 million in legislative appropriations and $100,000 from a federal grant. Of that total, $2 million remains to be used.

Okaloosa County's portion for financing is $3.8 million, which Escambia and Santa Rosa County would also match. The three counties would share a 28.33% share of the new building, with Walton County contributing 15% of the funding. This allocation of percentages is based on population.

Okaloosa County's annual debt service cost for its portion is estimated to be less than $400,000 for a 15-year term with a 6% interest rate.

Key points in this interlocal agreement include an equal share of appropriations and grants, a minimum five-year lease for Sacred Heart Hospital and the option for each county to establish its own Medical Examiner's Office.

Escambia County woes

All members of the Okaloosa board agreed on the issue. But Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel said that she has spoken with members of the Escambia County Commission, where the current medical examiner's office sits, and thinks that the votes are not there.

"We must have a medical examination building," Ketchel said. "We have to have a state-of-the-art building. I have heard so many different reasons from Escambia (County) that frustrate me."

Ketchel then asked other members of the Okaloosa Commission to reach out to Escambia County and advocate for the issue. This would not be in violation of any Sunshine Law.

"It's time, it's time to make a good decision here," Ketchel added. "A little pressure wouldn't hurt."

Commissioner Mel Ponder echoed Ketchel's thoughts and praised Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender's efforts to try "to carry the banner of all of them coming together."

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"If it fails from Escambia, then it fails, but at least we feel from an integrity standpoint, we're putting forth our effort to be a good partner in this thing," Ponder said.

What's Next?

With Walton and Okaloosa counties having approved the agreement on their end, Santa Rosa County and Escambia County have to agree in order for the new office to come to fruition.

Escambia County will meet on Thursday to discuss the issue, while Santa Rosa County will meet Dec. 12.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa agrees to help fund new Santa Rosa medical examiner facility