The Marshall County Commissioners formally gave their support Monday morning toward the construction of a county morgue.
County Coroner John Grolich explained that his case load is increasing and there is no place to take care of Marshall County’s decedents. Autopsies are currently conducted in Starke County or other nearby morgues. The coroner uses space at the hospital or other facilities with proper measures to keep decedents awaiting autopsies. A medical examiner from Fishers travels to the area to perform the autopsies.
Grolich hopes to construct a 40X64 building on the southeast corner of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department property that will have all of the equipment needed in a proper facility when going through the process of death investigations.
Commissioner Stan Klotz suggested adding a few more feet onto the building to accommodate potential storage for county personal protective equipment.
Grolich mentioned that the construction of the morgue could meet the guidelines for partial reimbursement with COVID-19 funding.
Supporter John Oliver stated to the commissioners that they may want to speak with the township trustees in the county to discuss money in the Rainy Day and Township Assistance budgets to help fund the morgue. He presented balances in those line items where he said it appears excess funds could be used, depending on conversations with those trustees.
Grolich said a preliminary estimate for the building is about $200,000, but the commissioners unanimously approved a motion to support a recommendation to the County Council for $250,000 for the construction of a county morgue. The commissioners and Grolich will discuss the recommendation with the council members at their next meeting in July.
