Hamilton County Medical examiner Dr. Frank King is seen in this file photo.Hamilton County’s highest-paid employee, Medical Examiner Frank King, likely will have his title changed and pay shaved after a vote of the County Commission this week.
King and forensic pathologist Dr. James Metcalfe will be switching roles ahead of a looming deadline on a state law that first took effect in 2008.
King, a pathologist who makes about $195,000 a year, has been the county’s medical examiner since 1986. Metcalfe, who’s been with the county since 2007, makes $144,000 annually.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger briefly described the move to the County Commission’s finance committee as a “cost neutral” change of titles. The commission is expected to vote on the mayor’s recommended change Wednesday, but King has been pushing for action for almost four years.
Under the 2008 law, for the county’s medical examiner facility to do autopsies after July 1, it must be accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners, a nonprofit organization that requires the medical examiner be a board-certified pathologist.