SUBJECT:
Title
Feedback and proposed counter options related to the separation of Lake
and Seminole counties.
Body
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
At the February 12, 2025, Medical Examiner Committee meeting, Lake County formally expressed its intention to join District 24 with Seminole County. In response, the Committee requested that the counties provide an exit plan.
At the May 14, 2025, Medical Examiners Committee meeting, the Committee discussed the exit plan presented by Seminole County outlining separation options for consideration by the remaining District 5 counties.
Seminole County’s Proposed Options Presented May 14, 2025 (see attached letter)
Option One
• Lake and Seminole Counties will form District 24 and continue operating from the current facility at 809 Pine Street, Leesburg.
• District 5 will build a new facility and relocate by the end of the current operating agreement.
• District 5 will support Lake’s reassignment to District 24 and submit a letter of support to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission.
• Should District 5 experience delays in construction despite working in good faith, all parties agree to extend the operating agreement to avoid disruption.
• Lake and Seminole agree to pay a reasonable portion of Marion County’s incurred costs, contingent on document review requested by Seminole (March 31, 2025).
Option Two
• Lake and Seminole Counties will form District 24 and develop a new facility within District 24’s boundaries by the end of the current operating agreement.
• District 5 will remain in the Leesburg facility.
• District 5 will again provide a letter of support for Lake’s reassignment to District 24.
• A similar provision exists for extending the agreement if District 24 faces facility delays.
The Committee discussed the request from Seminole and Lake County to provide letters of support for the separation. Marion County continued the conversation of being made whole for expended costs associated with the new building and stated that they do not support the separation and will not be submitting a letter of support. Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter Counties stated that they would need to speak to their counterparts.
Marion County Proposed Options (June 3, 2025, BCC meeting)
At the June 3, 2025, Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBCC) meeting, the County Administrator briefed the Board on the proposed separation and its risks. Direction was given to request position statements from stakeholders (Sheriff, State Attorney and Public Defender), they also directed the Administrator to bring forward two refined options to the Medical Examiners Committee:
Marion County Option One: (Preferred)
• Seminole County exits the District 5 partnership and builds its own facility by the end of the agreement.
• Lake County reconsiders reassignment and remains in District 5.
• District 5 reexamines the cost allocation methodology to address all counties’ concerns.
• District 5 evaluates capacity needs and considers using the Leesburg facility while building a satellite office in Summerfield, if needed.
• Seminole County provides a defined timeline to exit the current facility that would be acceptable to District 5 counties.
• District 5 counties clarify the ownership of the Leesburg facility and adjust the title accordingly.
Marion County Option Two:
• Lake County is reassigned to District 24, and Lake and Seminole Counties jointly build and operate a new facility by the end of the agreement.
• District 5 continues operating from the current Leesburg location.
• District 5 obtains clear title to the Leesburg facility via an arrangement with Lake County.
• District 5 reassesses the new workload due to both counties leaving and plans accordingly.
• Lake and Seminole counties must provide a timeline to exit the current facility that would be acceptable to the remaining District 5 counties.
Since the May 14, 2025, Medical Examiner Committee meeting, Marion County has received the following feedback from Hernando County and Sumter County:
Hernando County (see attached email)
• Marion County to be made whole in past finances they have spent on the new building design.
• We would continue to occupy the existing building, in current agreement, until we outgrow the building and build a new building in the future at our discretion.
• There is a deadline for when Lake and Seminole Counties have to complete transition to their own district and exit current facility.
Sumter County (see attached email)
• The Sumter County BOCC provided direction to Commissioner Bogue that supports the submitted Option 2 from Seminole and Lake understanding that the discussion regarding modifications to Options 2 will be expected at the June meeting.
In addition to Hernando and Sumter written feedback, Citrus County has, on multiple occasions, expressed its support to Marion County’s position and recommendations.
end