ERIE — Neosho County commissioners this week named Rick Brock, owner and funeral director at Countryside Funeral Home, to be the 31st Judicial District’s district coroner.
Brock was sworn in on Tuesday afternoon.
He’s served as deputy coroner in recent years for the four counties in the district: Neosho, Woodson, Allen and Wilson.
Dr. Scott Coates previously served as district coroner, but he no longer lives in Kansas, although he continues to work in. Southeast Kansas. State law requires state residence for district coroners, commissioners said Tuesday.
Brock will have to be re-appointed each year until the commissioners find a replacement from the medical field.
Neosho County, as the largest county in the judicial district, appoints the district coroner.
Commissioner Gail Klaassen said Brock has done a great job in his role to date.
Commissioners agreed to pay Brock $400 a month for his work and his deputy will get $300 a month. The cost will be shared with other counties in the district.
Commissioners also discussed but took no action on the increased fees charged for autopsies.
In other matters, the commission: — Met with County Attorney Tiana McElroy who asked for input about handling various bank accounts used by her office. She said she’s trying to fix oversights by a previous county attorney. Commissioners also agreed to hire an auditor to review county attorney bank accounts to make sure diversion fees and other expenses go to the right place.
— Agreed that three Health Department employees who work with WIC can attend a national training conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. WIC grants will pay for the training.
