Alachua County continues restructure of medical examiner office 

Alachua County voted Tuesday to negotiate an interim contract with a new medical examiner and to move the medical examiner’s office away from UF and to supervision by the county.  

The decision comes after Dr. Thomas Coyne, the current medical examiner, leaves his position on April 11, but the work to transition the office away from UF started in the fall. 

Tuesday’s vote by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) directs staff to terminate the medical examiner’s contract with UF, pursue a contract with Dr. Jon Thogmartin to begin April 12 and move all equipment and supplies from UF to the new office.  

Coyne came before the BOCC in December and asked for changes, including placing the office directly under Alachua County instead of a third-party agreement with UF.  

State Attorney Brian Kramer attended the December meeting and supported Coyne’s request. He said the current structure is unique in Florida, and Kramer also hoped the move would convince Coyne to stay. 

Leon County had extended an offer to Coyne to become medical examiner, and on Tuesday, the BOCC heard that Coyne accepted the offer.  

Tommy Crosby, assistant county manager, said the county, who pays most of the budget, will still take administrative control of the medical examiner’s office.  

“Based on our further research, [the medical examiner’s office] probably needs to be in line with the rest of the state and be a county operation, a county responsibility, since we’re paying most of the bill anyway,” Crosby said. 

He said Thogmartin, currently the medical examiner for District 6, will step in for Coyne and also help Kramer and the BOCC search for a permanent applicant. Crosby said Thogmartin is familiar with the interim role, serving in Leon County while it looked for a permanent medical examiner.  

State law tasks Kramer to build an interview team and appoint the medical examiner. The governor is also required to approve all selections.