Coroner's Office Study - Johnson County Kansas · PDF fileSteve Howe Department of Emergency Management Ellen Wernicke Dan Robeson ... 6 January 12, 2016 Johnson County, Kansas | Coroner’s

Johnson County, KansasCoroner’s Office StudyJanuary 19, 2016

2 January 12, 2016 Johnson County, Kansas | Coroner’s Office Study

3

JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSASFacilities ManagementChad FosterDanni Livingston

Sheriff’s OfficeFrank DenningKevin CavanaughKent BrownAllen Hamm

County CoronerDr. Robert Prosser

District AttorneySteve Howe

Department of Emergency ManagementEllen WernickeDan Robeson

Department of Public HealthKathy ShemwellGary Martin

CONSULTING TEAMSmithGroupJJR455 North Third StreetPhoenix, AZ 85004

Scott KreitleinAdam DenmarkSteve HackmanDr. David Fowler (Chief Medical Examiner for State of Maryland)

PGAV Architects 1900 W. 47th Place, Suite 300Westwood, Kansas 66205

Mike SchaadtMichelle GangelTony Atchity

STUDY TEAM


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INTRODUCTION:EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SECTION 1: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Vision Goals and Objectives Definition of Success STATUS OF MEDICOLEGAL SERVICES Service Delivery Model Caseloads Coroner/ME Status

SECTION 2: ANALYSIS

STRATEGIC PLANNING Industry Standards Data Analysis Population Data Space Definitions Planning Scenarios SPACE CRITERIA Concept Program Concept Plan

SITE INFORMATION Site Criteria and Utilities Site Options

SECTION 3: POTENTIAL COSTS

COST SCENARIOS Estimated Annual Costs Construction / Project Costs

APPENDIX

CONCEPT PROGRAM SPACE LIST

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Johnson County (JoCo) has commissioned this Coroner’s Study to examine issues that are of regional importance. This study examines the benefits and challenges of owning and operating a medicolegal death investigation facility. The underlying goal of this endeavor is to ensure that the County has access to the most efficient, cost-effective, and reliable medicolegal autopsy services possible.

CURRENTAt present Johnson County’s medicolegal autopsy needs are served by a private contract service facility. While this facility provides a basic level of service, there are a number of ramifications inherent in the loss of County independence in this business model. The County does not have control over maintaining industry benchmarks for autopsies/population, distance/travel time for autopsies, prioritization of cases, cost control, quality of services and meeting industry standards.

Autopsies in Johnson County are currently overseen by an appointed Coroner which is the state statute for Kansas counties. Sedgwick County operates with a Board Certified Medical Examiner. The chart titled Medical Examiner vs. Coroner Systems in Section 1: Background Information, illustrates various approaches to providing medicolegal services.

GOALSIn considering the formation of a new facility to serve the County medicolegal autopsy needs, numerous goals were identified that must be addressed. The facility should be capable of providing the following benefits:

• Reduced response times and an elevated priority level for Johnson County cases

• Long term predictability and cost certainty for services

• Regional partnerships • Enhanced public health awareness and response • Enhanced mass fatality readiness • A better experience for decedent families

The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) provides guidelines for development and staffing of accredited facilities. Industry benchmarks range from a low autopsy rate of .5/1,000 population, annually to a high autopsy rate of 1/1,000 population, annually. An average recommendation based on the planning team’s experience is .75/1,000 population, annually. This is used for planning purposes of this study.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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KEY FINDINGSJohnson County is expected to see continued significant population growth over the next 30 years.

There are quantitative and qualitative cost considerations associated with sending autopsies to contract providers outside of Johnson County.

Contract service providers are less likely to meet increased caseloads as their service populations continue to increase.

PROGRAMThis study reviewed two primary business scenarios within one planning option for Johnson County based on population and staffing capabilities. The first scenario meets the requirements for medicolegal autopsy services for Johnson County and the second scenario permits a limited number of discretionary autopsies for potential neighboring counties as Johnson County’s population continues to expand. A concept program was developed to assist with the scenario planning, and totaled 28,850 gross square foot area (GSF) for body storage and autopsy stations to meet projected autopsies and anticipated number of staff required to operate the facility. In all, the two scenarios examine potential service population ranges from a low end of half million in year 2016 for Johnson County core population only, to a maximum population of one million to service potential partner counties for discretionary autopsies.

SITE EVALUATIONAn important component of the overall success and effectiveness of this project for both Johnson County and any potential partnerships will be the selection of an appropriate site. Two potential sites were identified from a longer list of site options that met the following criteria: vehicular access (including during emergency events), neighborhood compatibility and available utility infrastructure. See Section 2: Site Information.

CONSTRUCTION COSTSConstruction costs are expected to range between $465-475/gsf based on construction metrics of this region and this highly technical facility-type. Total project costs are estimated to be in the range of $19,000,000.

OPERATIONSOperating a medicolegal autopsy facility after initial capital investment requires up front and ongoing costs that are inherent to the endeavor. Revenue calculations are based on 1: performing autopsy services for the Johnson County core population-only, and 2: performing discretionary autopsy services for partner counties. This second approach can offset and even lower costs for Johnson County.

Ensuring that medicolegal autopsy needs are accommodated is a primary function of all Kansas counties. These needs range from the investigative needs of law enforcement, to the legal requirements of the courts, and the emotional needs of family and the community at large. This report outlines two potential approaches to meet the growing needs of Johnson County and potential partners in an effort to provide information needed to make informed decisions regarding the future of medicolegal death investigation in Johnson County.


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SECTION 1:BACKGROUND INFORMATION


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VISIONProvide Johnson County residents with an efficient, cost-effective, and long-term sustainable means of providing medicolegal autopsy services for a growing population.

• Increase autopsy rates to meet appropriate national benchmarks

• Optimized case response and agency coordination

• Appropriate experience for decedents’ families• Cost certainty for medicolegal autopsy services• Effective and reliable investigative results• Foster educational relationship with

partners & universities• Increase independence for medicolegal

investigations from law enforcement

• State of the art, high functioning facility, known for excellence & leadership

• Planned to accommodate future growth• Facilitate National Association of Medical

Examiners (NAME) accreditation by meeting scientific and facility requirements

• Support mass fatality planning• Reliable data for public health to identify trends

and emerging diseases

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Cost SustainabilityProvide a cost benefit to the County

Reliable Criminal Investigation SupportCredible and authoritative medicolegal autopsy results

Implementation PlanPreparation for future adaptation to Coroner/ME requirements

County IndependenceFormation of a facility that supports JoCo and potential partners

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

DEFINITION OF SUCCESS


Johnson County is currently served by a contract service provider located in Wyandotte County Kansas. This provider serves multiple counties in Kansas and Missouri, each with separate contracts, and autopsies are performed in a variety of facilities, primarily the central office located in Kansas City, Kansas. Within the current system, the Coroner for Johnson County refers cases to the contract service provider for potential autopsies.

The current service delivery model has resulted in a number of concerns for Johnson County which include:

• Concern for prioritization of case processing by contract service provider

• Lack of ability to control cost of services, operations, and accreditation for facility and staff

• Long term cost instability for medicolegal autopsy services• Limited data/reporting and communication with Public Health

Department• Increased complexities in dealing with mass fatality events• A varied level of medicolegal autopsy rates in comparison to

national benchmarks• A loss of Johnson County independence in medicolegal death

investigations• Loss of ability for quick turnaround of lab results

SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

CASE LOADS2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Autopsies 261 256 279 271 313 297 296 305*

STATUS OF MEDICOLEGAL SERVICES

*projected

One basis of achieving accreditation in a facility is to assume 20-25% of all deaths come to the attention of the Coroner’s office. From those cases approximately 50% could be expected to be subject to autopsy. Johnson County has historically been lower than those benchmarks.

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Existing Medical Examiner FacilitiesJohnson CountyA 100 mile radius is considered maximum for serving

potential discretionary County populations.

*Shawnee County has a board certified pathologist as their Coroner.

*


System Traditional Coroners

Appointed Coroners

Hybrid Coroner

Medical Coroners

Medical Examiners

Elect v. Appoint Elected Appointed Elected/ex officio Appointed and elected

Appointed at willAppointed Contract

Term 4 year term 4 year term 4 year term 4 year term Variable 4 year/permanent

Size of system Small Jurisdictions Small Jurisdictions(Rare) Canadian model

Single electoral jurisdiction small to large

Small to Medium Large to small Jurisdictions (13Million to 250K)

Qualifications 18 Years old resident in jurisdiction(SC) to Judge (JP)

Variable qualifications

Sheriff coroner in CA and JP in TX

Physician (KS, WA, OH)

ABpath Boarded forensic pathologist (17 states and multiple large cities)

Model Legal/lay model Usually medical model

Legal/Law enforcement

Medical model Medical model

Independence Questionable Independent Questionable Independent Independent

MEDICAL EXAMINER VS CORONER SYSTEMS

It is Kansas statute to have appointed Coroner’s. Sedgwick County is the only County in Kansas that operates with a Medical Examiner. Shawnee County has a Coroner system, but has appointed a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. Essentially, Johnson County could appoint a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist as their Coroner and function like a medical examiner. Actual change to a medical examiner system requires a change in state statute.

KANSAS SYSTEM

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MEDICAL EXAMINER & CORONER JURISDICTIONS

This map illustrates the variety of services models that occur across the country, and even within states.

Credit Source: Centers for Disease Control


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SECTION 2:ANALYSIS


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In order to ensure public health and safety, Johnson County must have the capacity to respond to current and future demands. This analysis examined several categories of information including current conditions, projected population needs, and two specific service area scenarios.

Industry StandardsRecommendations from the Scientific Working Group for Medicolegal Death Investigation (SWGMDI), supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), were evaluated for this study in benchmarking a County-owned medicolegal death investigation facility.Facility benchmarks and standards were reviewed in relation to the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) accreditation standards. Metrics were evaluated based primarily on population growth projections and historical data for staffing, caseload, and business costs. This study evaluated a minimum 15 year growth projection for administrative, morgue, autopsy, and building support functions to 2030, and a maximum County population projection of one million.

Data AnalysisThe SWGMDI benchmarks were considered for population and geographic catchment area, staffing distribution, funding, facility size, and construction costs based on historic data and survey information. The industry benchmarks range from a low annual autopsy rate of .5/1,000 population to a high annual autopsy rate of 1/1,000 population. An average recommendation based on the planning team’s findings is .75/1,000 population, annually. Recent autopsy rates for Johnson County have ranged from a low of .45 autopsies/1,000 population, to a high of .50/1,000 population, annually.

Population DataHistoric population sizes are based on information gathered from the United States Census Bureau. Future population projections are based on information collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Wichita State Center for Economic Development and Business Research, and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC).

Space DefinitionsGross Square Feet (GSF) refers to the sum of all building areas, measured to the outside face of the exterior walls, including all floor levels, and enclosed mechanical rooms.

Organizational StructureThere is new activity at the Federal Level toward next generation accreditation standards that recommend medical examiners be independent from law enforcement. The current County structure has the Coroner reporting directly to the Board of County Commissioners.

On national average 2/3 of a typical Coroner’s cases relate to public health. Some jurisdictions manage the Coroner through the health department or are governed by an appointed commission made up of representatives from law enforcement, medical advisors and the justice system. The Board will have to decide in the future how the Coroner’s office will fit in the organizational structure.

STRATEGIC PLANNING & ANALYSIS


A range of possible options exist for future planning purposes. This assessment examined two scenarios for future growth in the area of service: Scenario 1 Core Population, and Scenario 2 Staff Capacity.

The first scenario uses the population growth for Johnson County in 2030 to determine minimum staffing requirements to serve the County core population-only.

The second scenario uses a maximum population of one million to determine maximum staffing requirements.

CORE POPULATION SCENARIO

Johnson County Autopsies

STAFF CAPACITY SCENARIO

Johnson County + Discretionary Autopsies

PLANNING SCENARIOS

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The facility metrics are based on a maximum population of one million. At initial start-up, a minimum of 7 staff is required to perform 375 autopsies per year at .5/1000 for Johnson County. A full staff of 16 is recommended, including Medicolegal Investigators and Toxicology Services, to perform 445 autopsies per year at .75/1000. A minimum of 22 staff and 3 forensic pathologists are capable of serving a population of one million.

In short, sizing the facility for 3 pathologists will provide the County with discretionary capacity to accept additional caseloads from adjacent jurisdictions, maximizing staff utilization. This presents an opportunity to generate supplemental fee for service revenue as the County grows into the facility.

Year one staffing will be a combination of County staff and outsourced staff

* Facility Space investment is based on maximum population of one million

** At start-up, an autopsy rate of .5/1000 is anticipated

Current expenditure related to Coroner is $550,000 per year

Facility Metrics

Year One Staffing

2016 Core Population

2016 Staff Capacity

Population 590,503 590,503 1,000,000

Facility Space (GSF) 28,850 28,850* 28,850

Body Storage 25 25 42

Autopsy Stations 3 3 5

.75/1,000 Autopsy Rate 375** 445 750

Forensic Pathologists 2 2 3

Investigators 0 4 5

Autopsy Assistants 3 3 4

Histologists 0 0 1

Security/Attendants 0 1 1

Reception/Administration 2 3 4

Toxicology Staff 0 3 4

Total Staff 7 16 22

PROJECTIONS


0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

20102015

20202030

2040

544,179 590,503 645,145752,881

850,301

JOCO Pop

Series1

Core Population Growth Projections

SCENARIO ONEThe Core Population Basis Scenario examined the combined requirements for Johnson County only. In total this scenario projects a 2016 service population of 590,503 people (equivalent to 445 autopsies annually) increasing to 752,881 by year 2030 (equivalent to 565 autopsies annually).

CORE POPULATION SCENARIO

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0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

20102015

20202030

2040

544,179 590,503 645,145 752,881850,301

403,337 413,919 427,233447,792

463,800

JOCO+Full Partner Pop

JOCO Series2 Partners

Staff Capacity / Population Served

SCENARIO TWOThe Staff Capacity Basis Scenario examined the combined ability for the Johnson County staff to support additional autopsies from partner counties. Utilizing a population of one million at an autopsy rate of .75/1000 (equivalent to 750 autopsies), it is projected that three pathologists, each performing 250 autopsies/year, will optimize the facility potential. The additional discretionary population served in 2030 equals 247,119.

The contiguous counties adjacent to Johnson County (Wyandotte, Leavenworth, Douglas, Franklin, and Miami) are shown in the table below as one example of discretionary population.

1 million population - max capacity for 3 pathologistsat .75/1000

Discretionary Population from within five adjacent counties

Johnson County Population

STAFF CAPACITY SCENARIO


Concept Program

DEPARTMENT NSF

ADMIN / OFFICE 4,214

MORGUE & AUTOPSY 7,016

TOX LABORATORY 2,640

INVESTIGATIONS / SUPPORT 480

COMMON 2,080

BUILDING SUPPORT 490

TOTAL NSF 17,020

GROSS 11,830

TOTAL BGSF 28,850

SPACE CRITERIA

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Adjacency Diagram

Successful programming and design of medicolegal autopsy facilities relies on a flexible approach to planning for future changes in forensic protocols and work flow, office procedures and evidence handling. Toxicology services on-site allow for quick results -- eliminating the need for some autopsies or potentially identify emerging drug trends. A new facility will be designed to accommodate trace evidence for sensitive cases and appropriate bio-hazard standards to protect staff from communicable diseases. Given specialization and critical work flow configurations coroners facilities are inherently difficult to expand.

A new Coroner’s office will improve the County’s control over caseload turnaround, improve chain-of-custody control, reduce cross contamination risks, and allow for more stringent oversight of lab operation, controls and autopsy processes.


SITE CRITERIA AND UTILITIES

SUMMARYSeveral sites were analyzed for the new coroner’s facility, and a recommended site has been determined as well as a suitable alternative site. Factors considered in this exercise included site development costs, proximity to population densities in the County, and the nature of the surrounding development. The Sunset Campus site on the southwest corner of Sunset Drive and 118th Street was determined as the recommended site, with the ‘New Century Site’ adjacent to the Johnson County Sheriff’s office being a suitable alternative.

SUNSET CAMPUS SITEThe Johnson County Sunset Campus includes the Sheriff’s Crime Lab; the County Communications Center; the Sunset Office building housing multiple County departments, as well as the Johnson County Health Services Building. In the County Communications Center/Sheriff’s Crime Lab co-location analysis completed in 2006, a plot on this campus at the southwest corner of Sunset Drive and 118th street was identified as the preferred location for a new Coroner’s Facility. This study concurs with that conclusion. Site development costs will be standard for a suburban setting; with adjacent access to all necessary utilities. An abundance of fill is available on the site that will allow the creation of a landscaped privacy berm along the west property line at minimal cost. The Sheriff’s Crime Lab being located directly across 118th Street will allow definite operational benefits to both facilities; including the training room, conference rooms and exercise facilities. The Health Services Building being located across Sunset may also yield operational efficiencies. The development footprint of the site proved to be ideal for a 30,000 SF facility, and there is no forecasted development by the County other than the Coroner’s Facility that is in that size range. The location is also the closest to population densities served, the Johnson County Courthouse, and major highways which will allow staff to operate in an efficient manner.

NEW CENTURY SITEThe New Century site, near the New Century Adult Detention Center and Johnson County Sheriff’s office, offers an abundance of undeveloped land that could be utilized for the New Coroner’s Facility and is a suitable alternative to the Sunset Campus. Site development costs would be higher than the Sunset Campus site; with several utilities being more remote and requiring longer extensions. Administrative functions of the Coroner’s Facility may benefit from development near the Sheriff’s Office (such as shared conference room space and facilities management); but there is no notable operational benefit from locating on this site. Privacy screening is not a major issue on this site; with little development in the surrounding area. The location is more remote from population centers and the Johnson County Courthouse than the recommended site, but is accessible from I-35.

OTHER SITES STUDIEDSeveral other sites were considered, but deemed as inadequate for a variety of reasons. An expansion to the west of the Sheriff’s Crime Lab was studied as a possible solution; but proved to offer an inadequate footprint for the New Coroner’s Facility. Utilization of the Sheriff’s Crime Lab expansion footprint for a Coroner facility would also land-lock both facilities; which would not be prudent given the forecasted growth of demand for services for the Crime Lab. A site fronting Sunset Drive between the Sunset Office building and the Johnson County Health Services Building was also considered, but as this site could accommodate a larger development than 30,000 SF; utilizing it for the Coroner’s Facility is not seen as the best stewardship of space on the Sunset Campus. Finally; a study was previously conducted to develop space in the Johnson County Northeast offices. This study; conducted approximately 20 years ago; is now irrelevant with space needs of the planned Coroner’s Facility at 30,000 SF.

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• Along Primary Roadway• Multiple Secondary Access Roads• Dual Entry Points• Access for Outside Partners• Forensic Lab Investigators

• Sensitivity to Existing Neighborhoods• Compatible with Area Land Uses• Appropriate Zoning• Consider Proximity To Emergency Service Providers• Consider Adjacency To Other County Agencies

VEHICULAR ACCESS AND ARRIVAL

NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY

• Range of 800 to 1,600 AMP 277/480V Service Depending on Facility Size

• Emergency/Standby Power is Anticipated to be Taken Care of by On-Site Generation (Anticipate Generator Size of 300-750 kW Depending On Facility Size

• Reliable Utility Power

• 4 Inch Sanitary Sewer System Connectivity• Project Will Adhere to Johnson County

Wastewater requirements• Storm Sewer / Retention Requirements

as Required By Johnson County Best Management Practices

• Fiber Optic Cable Connection• County “LIMS” Connection

• Water and Heating• 2 Inch Natural Gas Service

• Municipal Water System Connection• 2-1/2 inch Domestic Water Connection• 6 Inch Fire Protection Connection

ELECTRICAL

TELECOM

PLUMBING

NATURAL GAS

WATER


9998

94107

108

106

CONS

TRUC

TION

400'-

0"

RADI

USTO

EXIST

ING

AREA OFIMPORTED

SOIL

118TH STREETSUNSET DRIVE

SITE 1

TOWER FALLUNDERSTOOD

Gas: Atmos EnergyImmiediate access to natural gas.Special considerations: Street Crossing would be required.

Legal: Underlying Zoning of R-1; Single family residential. Special Use Permit-12-93 inplace for property, with no defined expiration date. Located with City of Olathe; Kansas.Flood Zone: X (Outside of 500 year flood plain)Parking: New 34 Stall Secure Lot would be provided with project, Visitor lot would beshared with SCL and ECC.Grading / Earthwork Issues:Site has a large amount of fill stockpiled from construction activity, assumption is that alarge percentage would need to be transported elsewhere. Bedrock is known to berelatively shallow, but the rock bearing surface is known to be very inconsistent andfractured in this area.General Site Notes:Per the tower owner; the fall radius is within the guy wires based on the design of thetower. No portion of the planned development will occur in that zone.The Tower Ice Fall 'shadow' is more difficult to determine as wind speed and conditionscan impact the distance ice will travel. The building is generally sited so that it will notbe any closer to the tower than surrounding residential homes. Consideration should betaken to the south parking area to limit the possible exposure to tower ice fall.NeighborhoodBerming / Seperation required for residential neighborhood. ME Facility has beenshown since 2006.

Electrical: Westar EnergyImmiediate access to underground linesSpecial considerations: None

Sanitary Sewer: Johnson County WastewaterTie in at Northwest area of site (structure 99, flow elevation at 1007')Special considerations: Street Crossing.

Water: City of OlatheImmiediate access to domestic water on north property line.Special considerations: None.

Storm Sewer: City of OlatheTie in midblock on Sunset DriveSpecial considerations: None

DETAILED UTILITY INFORMATION

NORTH

MISC. SITE INFORMATION

SITE OPTIONS

28.1

SITE 1 - CRIME LAB ADJACENT

HEALTHSERVICESBUILDING

COUNTYCOMMUNICATIONS

CENTER

CRIMINALISTICSLABORATORY

SITE 1 – CRIME LAB ADJACENT

SITE OPTIONS

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SITE 1 – CRIME LAB ADJACENT

SITE OPTIONS

AREA OFIMPORTED

SOIL

MORGUE &AUTOPSY

SALLYPORT

TOX ADMIN

COMMON

MECH OFFICE LOBBYNEWPRIVACY

BERMUSING ONSITE FILL

34 SECURED STALLS

FENCE

SHARED VISITOR LOT

RAIN

GARD

ENANTICIPATED FFE:

1022'

ENTRY

The site would be located on the Johnson County Government Sunset Campus at location proposed in theCounty Communications Center / Crime Lab Co-location analysis dated February 8, 2006. This site wouldallow conveniant access to the Sheriff's Crime Lab and County Communications Center, providing thepossiblity to share facilities such as conference room space; visitor parking; and otherinfrastructure/amenities on the Sunset campus.

The primary challenge on this site is the proximity to residential neighborhoods, careful screening ofsightlines and traffic patterns must be incorporated into the design.

SUMMARY OF CRIME LAB SITE - ADJACENT.

SITE OPTIONS

28.2

SITE 2 - CRIME LAB ADJACENT


159TH STREET

MO

ON

LIG

HT

RO

AD

10

SITE 2

SHERIFF'SOFFICE

DETENTIONCENTER

Gas: Atmos EnergyAccess needs investigation; assumed to require extension from theeast.

Legal: Underlying Zoning of PEC3 Industrial; Located within City of New Century; Kansas.Flood Zone: X (Outside of 500 year flood plain)Parking: New 34 Stall secured surface lot would be provided, as well as new 20 stallvisitor lot.Grading / Earthwork Issues:No significant Issues.General Site Notes:Close Proximity to Sherriff's Office

Electrical: Kansas City Power & LightAccess needs investigation; assumed to require extension from the east.

Sanitary Sewer: Johnson County WastewaterPossible tie in at structure 10; flow elevation 1011'.

Water: Airport Commission.Access needs investigation, assumed to require extension from theeast.

Storm Sewer:Kill Creek Watershed; exits property at culvert beneath Moonlight Road.

UTILITY INFORMATION

NORTH

SITE OPTIONS

29.1

SITE 2 - NEW CENTURY SITE

SITE 2 – NEW CENTURY SITE

SITE OPTIONS

31

SITE 2 – NEW CENTURY SITE

SITE OPTIONS

STORMWATERDETENTION; POSSIBLYWITH EXISTING POND

34 SECURED STALLS

SHARED VISITOR LOT

ANTICIPATED FFE:1035'

VISITOR PARKING20 STALLS

159TH STREET

MORGUE &AUTOPSY

SALL

YPO

RT

TOX

ADMINCOMMON

MECH

OFFICE

LOBBY

The site would be located in New Century; Kansas in close proximity to the Sherriff's Office and Jail. There currently is little development in close proximity to the site.SUMMARY OF NEW CENTURY SITE

SITE OPTIONS

29.2

SITE 3 - NEW CENTURY SITE


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SECTION 3:POTENTIAL COSTS


ESTIMATED ANNUAL COSTS

The Annual Costs matrix shown on the next page indicates the projected annual costs anticipated for operating a medicolegal autopsy facility for 2016. Staff counts for each of these scenarios is based on the assumed population served.

The net cost potential of maximizing the number of autopsies allowed by the National Association of Medical Examiner’s per forensic pathologist (250 per year - Phase I requirement) in order to maintain accreditation is assumed in the staff capacity scenario.

StaffThese indicate the total staff count projected to operate the facility based on 2016 population and staff capacity scenario.

Salaries & Benefits Salaries indicated are based on regional benchmarks for each job title and include estimates for taxes and benefits including: FICA, Medicare, FUTA, SUI, 401k, holidays, paid time off, and continuing education.

Overhead Expenses are based on regional benchmarks and include elements such as: building management costs, chemicals, clothing, office supplies, custodial supplies, institutional expenses, laboratory supplies, office equipment, office furniture, safety equipment, software, linens, procurement shipping, miscellaneous medical equipment, phones, hazardous material removal, IT costs, travel costs, licenses and permits, laboratory equipment, and other miscellaneous costs.

Utility CostsCosts are based on anticipated energy and water use considering efficient mechanical systems, water use and plumbing equivalent to a LEED Silver certification.

Total Costs Includes Salaries & Benefits, Overhead, and Utility Costs.

Total Autopsies Numbers for the 2016 Core Population Scenario are based on .75/1000 Johnson County Population. Numbers for the 2016 Staff Capacity Scenario are based on 250 autopsies per pathologist (3 pathologists) in order to optimize the number of autopsies performed by the staff.

Johnson County AutopsiesNumbers are based on .75/1000 Johnson County Population.

Outside Johnson County Autopsies The total number of discretionary autopsies outside of Johnson County to maximize staff capacity until the population reaches one million.

Fee per outside autopsy Fees charged to outside agencies for medicolegal autopsy services.

Base Revenue Includes revenue from existing coroner budget for items such as issuing death certificates. It is assumed this is relative to number of autopsies performed.

Total Revenue Includes total revenue expected from partner agencies as well as the projected number of Outside Johnson County Autopsies multiplied by the Fee Per Outside Autopsy.

Net Costs Total Costs minus Total Revenue.

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2016

2016 Basis for Annual Costs

Year One Operating Costs

2016 Core Population Scenario

2016 Staff Capacity Scenario

Total Staff 7 16 22

Salaries & Benefits $661,554 $1,012,994 $1,394,804

Overhead $131,250 $155,750 $262,500

Utility Costs $110,400 $124,200 $138,000

Total Costs $903,204 $1,292,944 $1,795,304

Base Revenue $40,000 $48,000 $80,000

Total Autopsies 375 445 750

JoCo Autopsies 375 445 475

Outside JoCo Autopsies 0 0 275

Fee Per Outside Autopsy 0 0 $2,400 *

Total Revenue $40,000 $48,000 $740,000

Total Operational Costs $903,204 $1,292,944 $1,795,304

Total Revenue $40,000 $48,000 $740,000

Net Cost $863,204 $1,244,944 $1,055,304

Start-Up Scenario: a minimum staff of 7 is needed for the Start-Up Scenario to perform 375 autopsies annually at .5/1000 for Johnson County.

Core Population Scenario: a staff of 16 is recommended which includes Medicolegal Investigators and Toxicologists to perform 445 autopsies annually at .75/1000 for Johnson County.

Staff Capacity Scenario: an optimal staff of 22 can perform 750 autopsies annually at .75/1000 for Johnson County plus discretionary counties (total population 1 million) and offset annual costs.

The proposed operating costs above will be partially offset by the current annual expenditures of approximately $550,000.

* This is subject to what the market will bear for discretionary services to other counties.

This analysis was updated following the Committee of the Whole Meeting on January 21.


The Project Costs matrix shown on the next page indicates the projected cost of construction and total project costs for the proposed scenario based on an estimated FY2017 construction time line. The County already owns property evaluated, so this estimation does not include costs for site procurement.

Size The total projected facility square feet of 28,850 is based on the 2030 population projections (refer to the appendix for the program document).

Construction Cost / SF The estimated construction cost per square foot is based on regional construction costs for other medicolegal autopsy facilities and cost adjusted for Johnson County.

Construction Cost This is the scenario size multiplied by the estimated construction cost per square foot. Construction costs includes: on-site site development, core/shell elements, tenant improvement items, and laboratory casework and fixed equipment. Construction cost includes inflation factor of 3% for FY2016 and 4% for FY2017.

Project Cost This is the estimated Construction Cost plus an additional 40 percent factor to cover those items not captured in the Construction Cost including: fixtures, furnishings, and equipment (including computers, office furniture, chairs, building signage, etc.), design fees, etc.

ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS

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This planning option provides for each business scenario based on the degree that the facility is utilized either at a minimum core Johnson County population-only, or a maximum population of one million.

Basis for Project Costs

Construction Summary

Size 28,850 GSF

Construction Cost / BGSF $468

Construction Cost $13,500,000

Project Cost (+40%) $19,000,000


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APPENDIX


CONCEPT PROGRAM SPACE LIST

Johnson County Coroner's Office StudySPACE LIST

Facility Summary Staff Total NSF Total NASF Total BGSFFacility TOTALS 22 17,020 28,847

Summary Staff Total NSF Total NASF Total GSF

1.0 Office 22 3,320 4,2142.0 Morgue & Autopsy 0 7,080 7,1163.0 Laboratory 0 2,640 2,6404.0 Investigations Support 0 420 4805.0 Common 0 2,080 2,0806.0 Building Support 0 490 490

Sub‐total NSF and NASF 22 16,030 17,020Efficiency / Grossing Factor 59% 1.69 28,847

Items noted in red were discussed but are not included in the SF totalsNSF = Net Square Feet NASF= Net Assignable Square Feet BGSF= Building Gross Square Feet

Space for Investigations are included in the project to allow for future positions. Investigation may remain with local law enforecment.

41

Johnson County Coroner's Office Study1.0 Office

Space Name Staff NSF Qty. Total NSF Mult. NASF Total NASF TOTAL Comments

Coroner Office

Chief Coroner 1 220 1 220 1.3 286Executive Officer 1 180 1 180 1.3 234Reception/Admin Assist 1 60 1 60 1.3 78Office Manager 1 120 1 120 1.3 156Security/Attendant 1 60 1 60 1.3 78Records Storage 220 1 220 1.0 220

Sub‐Total 5 860 1,052

Autopsy Office

Chief Forensic Pathologist 1 220 1 220 1.3 286Forensic Pathologists 2 180 2 360 1.3 468Chief Forensic Autopsy Tech 1 120 1 120 1.3 156Forensic Autopsy Tech 3 60 3 180 1.3 234

Sub‐Total 7 880 1,144

Investigations Office

Forensic Investigator Chief 1 160 1 160 1.3 208Deputy Chief Investigator 1 120 1 120 1.3 156Investigator 3 60 3 180 1.3 234Investigations Work Room 120 1 120 1.3 156

Sub‐Total 5 580 754

Laboratory Office

Chief Forensic Toxicologist 1 180 1 180 1.3 234Forensic Toxicology QA/QC 1 120 1 120 1.3 156Forensic Toxicologist 1 120 1 120 1.3 156Forensic Toxicology Lab Tech 1 60 1 60 1.3 78Forensic Histologist 1 160 1 160 1.3 208Toxicology Archive Files 120 1 120 1.0 120


Office Support

Office Supply Storage 120 1 120 1.3 156Work Room 120 1 120 1.3 156


TOTAL 22 3,320 4,214


Johnson County Coroner's Office Study2.0 Morgue & Autopsy


Autopsy

Main Autopsy Suite 310 3 930 1.0 930Iso / Decomp Autopsy 480 1 480 1.0 480Anthropology 120 1 120 1.0 120

Sub‐Total 1,530 1,530

Morgue

Vehicle Bay / Sally Port 720 1 720 1.0 7202 vehicle garage, back in and drive out

Processing 480 1 480 1.0 480Detective / Funeral Home Waiting 120 1 120 1.0 120Waiting Toilet 60 1 60 1.0 60Teaching Observation 180 1 180 1.0 180Observation 120 1 120 1.3 156Lodox 360 0 0 1.0 0CT Scanner 360 1 360 1.0 360 shielded room

Cooler In 360 1 360 1.0 3606 bodies on gurneys, 10 bodies on rack

Cooler Out 360 1 360 1.0 3606 bodies on gurneys, 10 bodies on rack

Dictation Room 30 1 30 1.0 30Anthropology / Bone Storage 120 1 120 1.0 120Autopsy Supply 240 1 240 1.0 240

Locker / Shower / Change 360 2 720 1.0 7208 full height lockers, shower, 2 water closets, 2 sinks

PPE 180 1 180 1.0 180Specimen Collect & Hold / Tissue St. 240 1 240 1.0 240Temp Property & Evidence Storage 180 1 180 1.0 180Family Toilet 60 1 60 1.0 60Medium Family Reception 180 1 180 1.0 180 no direct decedent viewCart Wash 120 1 120 1.0 120 manualGurney Queuing 120 1 120 1.0 120Clean Gurney 120 1 120 1.0 120Histology 240 1 240 1.0 240Slide and Block Storage 180 1 180 1.0 180Laundry 60 1 60 1.0 60

Sub‐Total 5,550 5,586

TOTAL 0 7,080 7,116


Facility Summary Staff Total NSF Total NASF Total GSFFacility TOTALS 22 17,020 28,847


1.0 Office 22 3,320 4,2142.0 Morgue & Autopsy 0 7,080 7,1163.0 Laboratory 0 2,640 2,6404.0 Investigations 0 420 4805.0 Common 0 2,080 2,0806.0 Building Support 0 490 490


Items noted in red were discussed but are not included in the SF totalsNSF = Net Square Feet NASF= Net Assignable Square Feet

Space for Investigations are included in the project to allow for future positions. Investigation is currently housed in the Sheriff's Office.

43

Johnson County Coroner's Office Study3.0 Laboratory


Toxicology Laboratory

Main Toxicology Lab 720 1 720 1.0 720

2 analyst stations w/FH's, 2 dedicated FH's, centrifuge, shared sinks, shared comupter station

Chemical storage 120 1 120 1.0 120Refrigerator/Freezer 120 1 120 1.0 120

Sub-Total 0 960 960

Toxicology Laboratory

Accessioning Room 240 1 240 1.0 240 staging, BSC, sink, 2-door ref

Instrument Room 720 1 720 1.0 7202 LC/MS, 4 GC/MS, sink, write-up space, ELISA, UV

Walk-in Freezer 120 1 120 1.0 120Glassware / Reagents 180 1 180 1.0 180Balance / Secure Standards 120 1 120 1.0 120Evidence 120 1 120 1.0 120Gas Storage 60 1 60 1.0 60Lab Supply Storage 120 1 120 1.0 120

Sub-Total 0 1,680 1,680

TOTAL 0 2,640 2,640

Johnson County Coroner's Office Study4.0 Investigations


Investigations

Property Processing 120 1 120 1.0 120Field Support / Gear Stor. / Lockers 40 5 200 1.3 260Mud Room 100 1 100 1.0 100

Sub-Total 0 420 480

TOTAL 0 420 480


Johnson County Coroner's Office Study5.0 Common


Common

Reception Vestibule 120 1 120 1.0 120Lobby 240 1 240 1.0 240Multi‐headed Scope 180 1 180 1.0 180Small Interaction 120 1 120 1.0 120Small Conference 180 1 180 1.0 180Medium Conference 400 1 400 1.0 400Multi‐purpose Room 1,200 0 0 1.0 0 Assume use of JCCL training

room Multi‐purpose Support/Storage 180 0 0 1.0 0Small Break 120 1 120 1.0 120Break Room 360 1 360 1.0 360Supply Storage 120 1 120 1.0 120Mail / Deliveries 120 1 120 1.0 120Personal Health 120 1 120 1.0 120

Sub‐Total 0 2,080 2,080

TOTAL 0 2,080 2,080


Facility Summary Staff Total NSF Total NASF Total GSFFacility TOTALS 22 17,020 28,847


1.0 Office 22 3,320 4,2142.0 Morgue & Autopsy 0 7,080 7,1163.0 Laboratory 0 2,640 2,6404.0 Investigations 0 420 4805.0 Common 0 2,080 2,0806.0 Building Support 0 490 490


Items noted in red were discussed but are not included in the SF totalsNSF = Net Square Feet NASF= Net Assignable Square Feet

Space for Investigations are included in the project to allow for future positions. Investigation is currently housed in the Sheriff's Office.

45

Johnson County Coroner's Office Study6.0 Building Support


Laboratory Support

Laboratory Storage 60 1 60 1.0 60Gas Cylinder Room 60 1 60 1.0 60Chemical Stockroom 60 1 60 1.0 60Hazardous Waste Storage 30 1 30 1.0 30Biological Waste Storage 30 1 30 1.0 30

Sub-Total 0 240 240

Building Support

Staging 60 1 60 1.0 60Maintenance Storage 80 1 80 1.0 80Housekeeping Storage 80 1 80 1.0 80Trash Collection 30 1 30 1.0 30

Sub-Total 0 250 250

TOTAL 0 490 490

Documents

Coroner's Office Study - Johnson County Kansas · PDF fileSteve Howe Department of Emergency Management Ellen Wernicke Dan Robeson ... 6 January 12, 2016 Johnson County, Kansas | Coroner’s