State Attorney Bill Eddins is concerned that the resignation of the First District’s medical examiner, Dr. Andrea Minyard, will create turmoil for the criminal justice system and “severely impact public safety” when she steps away Nov. 30.
Eddins believes there is room for the four counties in the First District and Dr. Minyard to reach a compromise that would keep the doctor on the job until a new Medical Examiner is found.
“The counties simply have an obligation to the citizens of the First Circuit to make that compromise,” wrote the state attorney in his press release.
He continued, “On the other hand, Dr. Minyard has enjoyed the payment of a very substantial salary for 14 years in her position as Medical Examiner. She has enjoyed the benefits of a very favorable salary and contract situation. As a result of that I believe that Dr. Minyard should make an economic compromise sufficient to allow the District One Medical Examiners transition to be smooth. As the long time Medical Examiner in the First Circuit in this situation, Dr. Minyard also has an obligation to make that compromise.”
October 23, 2018
PRESS RELEASE
The purpose of this press release is to state my position and explain my concerns regarding the current status of the dispute between the four counties of the First Judicial Circuit and the Medical Examiner. It is my understanding that the Medical Examiner has indicated that she will resign her position effective November 30, 2018. It is also my understanding that the four counties have together reached a temporary agreement to pay a salary for a Medical Examiner and an associate that totals approximately $450,000 a year plus expenses for the other employees of the office.
Termination of the Medical Examiner’s duties without an adequate replacement will create turmoil for the criminal justice system. It will severely impact public safety in the First Judicial Circuit.
The procedure for appointment of a new Medical Examiner is controlled by State Law. That procedure is spelled out in Florida Administrative Code 11G-5.004.
The process mandated by State Law takes several months to accomplish and cannot be finished by November 30, 2018, which is the date the Medical Examiner has said she will resign.
The stakeholders including the four counties, and the Medical Examiner, have a responsibility and authority to provide a functional Medical Examiner for the First Circuit that protects the public safety of the citizens of the First Circuit. It is imperative that both the counties and the Medical Examiner make every effort and accomplish a compromise between them that enables the Medical Examiner currently in office to continue past November 30, 2018 until a new Medical Examiner is available to take office. That is the only way to protect the public safety of our area.
From the counties point of view they have voluntarily paid a very substantial salary to the Medical Examiner for the First Circuit each year for over fourteen years. All of the counties every year agreed to make those payments. The temporary amount the counties are currently paying is several hundred thousand dollars less on an annual basis than they have paid for the last fourteen years. It seems to me that there is ample room for compromise on behalf of the counties in order to facilitate a proper transition to a new Medical Examiner to insure the public safety of the citizens of the First Circuit. The counties simply have an obligation to the citizens of the First Circuit to make that compromise.
On the other hand, Dr. Minyard has enjoyed the payment of a very substantial salary for fourteen years in her position as Medical Examiner. She has enjoyed the benefits of a very favorable salary and contract situation. As a result of that I believe that Dr. Minyard should make an economic compromise sufficient to allow the District One Medical Examiners transition to be smooth. As the long time Medical Examiner in the First Circuit in this situation, Dr. Minyard also has an obligation to make that compromise.
I have notified the stakeholders of my concerns and my request for a solution. I have worked closely throughout the years with all parties involved in this matter. I have attached to this press release all of the documents and materials that I have provided to the stakeholders. I know that they are each dedicated public servants seeking the best interest of our citizens. I have faith and confidence that they will successfully reach a compromise and resolve this matter.