Kane committee doesn't address coroner's request for more funds

In what may be more of a symbolic move than a financial slap on the wrist, members of a Kane County Board committee Wednesday refused to vote on a $140,000 budget adjustment for the coroner.

The decision might wreak some havoc with the county's books since only one month remains in the fiscal year.

Coroner Rob Russell's request for an additional $140,000 stems from costs associated with transferring morgue operations to DuPage County. That transfer happened in mid-June, after the discovery of mold in Kane County's morgue. There's also about $34,000 in the $140,000 in added per-diem costs for Russell's staff that a memo describes as "unforeseen."

But when the request came up for a vote in the board's finance and budget committee Wednesday, there wasn't even enough support on the committee to call the request for a vote.

Committee member Cristina Castro called the silence of her colleagues "deafening" when they ignored Russell's request. County board Chairman Chris Lauzen was not silent after the meeting when asked about the impact of not giving Russell any more money this year.

"These members of the board demonstrated their lack of approval today," Lauzen said. "Everybody else is cooperating (with their budget cuts). We'd like the coroner to help, also."

As he has in previous interviews, Lauzen pointed to the $67,000 grant writer position in Russell's office as an area that could be cut. He also questioned the need for employees to take vehicles home at night, the purchase of Silly Putty promotional gifts for the coroner's office and the possibility that more autopsies are conducted than required as examples of budgetary fat.

The ultimate impact of Russell's failed budget request is a mystery. Both Lauzen and Finance Director Joe Onzick said they were "not sure" what happens next. Lauzen promised all contracts with vendors, including DuPage County, would be honored. Onzick said the county is legally obligated to fund payroll and autopsy expenses.

Russell did not attend the meeting. He said he was working with county health officials to write protocols for addressing any Ebola cases that might arise. Russell said he was stunned to learn of the committee's decision.

"There's been no communication," Russell said. "When I put this request together, I sent emails to all the board members and gave them my numbers to call me. Nobody called with any concerns."

Russell said he'll take a second shot at the request when the finance and budget committee meets next month. By then, there will only be a few days left in the fiscal year and Russell's coffers will be nearly empty.

"I was hoping to avoid spending the eleventh hour approving bills that need to be paid," Russell said. "I guess that's not going to happen."