Kane morgue renovation to be done Jan. 15, $20K less in autopsy expenses
The renovation of the Kane County morgue will be completed by Jan. 15 because the manufacturer of a newer, larger freezer/cooler can't deliver the $68,000 unit until Jan. 6.
"The good thing is everything (in the renovation) is pretty much done around it. We're just waiting for it to come in," Coroner Rob Russell told a Kane County Board committee Friday.
Russell had hoped to finish the renovation, which began in the fall after a freezer failed and mold was discovered, completed by Jan. 1.
Meanwhile, the cost for using the DuPage County morgue for autopsy services and staff overtime will run about $120,000, which is about $20,000 less than originally anticipated, Russell said.
A county committee earlier this year balked on Russell's initial $140,000 request, but he is hopeful a newly seated committee will endorse it next month.
Russell explained that county officials expected about 165 autopsies to be performed in DuPage, but only about 145 autopsies out of Kane is the pace now.
"Total deaths are down this year, which is a good thing," Russell said.
Next month, Russell will present the $120,000 budget request for outsourcing autopsies to a county committee for consideration and eventual board approval.
Russell also extended an open invitation to board members to tour the renovation.
Board member Mark Davoust indicated a lot of progress has been made. "What you see is a far cry (from what is was before)," Davoust said.
Russell noted the freezer unit has a backup alarm and can be moved and expanded in a new location, if needed. He said the morgue renovation helped make the office more efficient, but did not necessarily increase space.
"Space-wise, we're still very tight," he said during a brief tour of the renovations Friday. "We've utilized every crack and crevice of this building."