County representatives told the meeting that Sullivan County's primary forensic pathologist, Dr. Asher, is retiring Nov. 15, leaving a single part-time pathologist available to perform post-mortem examinations.

The coroner's office representative said the remaining pathologist has asked for a "substantial raise" for general and homicide autopsies, and county staff are negotiating a proposed fee schedule. "They have us between a rock and a hard place," the coroner's office representative said. The transcript shows the county has extended an RFP to Nov. 17 and has been in contact with a forensic pathologist in Delaware who indicated she would assist if the county and the pathologist agree on fees, including travel expenses.

Officials flagged several consequences if an agreeable fee schedule cannot be reached. The county representative said the alternative may be transporting decedents to other counties for autopsies, noting that some counties do not accept transported cases and that funeral homes would be asked to carry out transport if they agree. "Further, not forgetting the personal trauma placed upon the families of the deceased," the coroner's office representative said.

Specific fee amounts referenced in the meeting record include $1,200 for a general autopsy and $1,400 for a homicide or prisoner autopsy; meeting speakers also raised transportation minimums and mileage as additional charges. County staff said they do not yet have a finalized number for last year's autopsy costs and that higher proposed rates under negotiation are "substantially higher" than existing amounts.

The discussion in the meeting distinguished negotiation and contingency planning from any formal action; the transcript records continued outreach, an extended RFP deadline and informal contact with an out-of-state pathologist but no executed contract or final vote on fees.

Clarifying details discussed at the meeting included the RFP extension date (Nov. 17), the retirement date of Dr. Asher (Nov. 15), and the cited per-case figures ($1,200 general; $1,400 homicide/prisoner). County staff emphasized the county's limited leverage given a statewide shortage of forensic pathologists and that some options could shift travel costs and logistical burdens to funeral homes or families.

The matter remains under negotiation; staff said they will report back as RFP responses and fee discussions progress.