Franklin County Coroner Seeking Raises for Staff

Franklin County Coroner Scott O’Barr is asking the County for a $15,000 increase to his budget to provide raises for his two Deputy Coroners.

Speaking to County Commissioners during their work session Tuesday evening, O’Barr said he relies heavily on the help and support of his two deputies, Clayton Bryant and Ben White.

O’Barr cited the many improvements to the County Coroner’s office which have made the department more professional and have improved services to the citizens; such as a new building in Lavonia with offices where they can meet with family members.

The new building also contains a refrigeration vault to house bodies temporarily. The office now also has a vehicle for transporting bodies, which means the Coroner no longer has to rely on using an EMS ambulance.

For all of that, though O’Barr noted that the fee for Coroner’s when called to a scene is only $19,000 and hasn’t changed in almost 15 years.

O’Barr asked that the raise in his budget be included in the next budget beginning July 1.

Commissioners thanked him and his deputy Coroners for their fine work and said they will look into including the extra $15K in the next fiscal budget.