To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Sarah E. Avedschmidt M.D - Forensic Pathology Services Contract
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Sheriff-Coroner, or designee, to execute a contract with Sarah E. Avedschmidt M.D. in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for forensic pathology services, for the period January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028.
RESCIND Board action (25-2567) of June 24, 2025, which authorized the Sheriff-Coroner to execute a contract with Sarah E. Avedschmidt M.D. in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000 for forensic pathology services, for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $1,000,000 in contractual service expenditures over a 2-year period and will be funded 100% by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Dr. Sarah E. Avedschmidt M.D., who specializes in pathology and forensic pathology, will assume responsibility and perform autopsy services exclusively for independent medical examinations and autopsies of in-custody deaths assigned pursuant to California Assembly Bill 1108, the Forensic Accountability, Custodial Transparency, and Safety (FACTS) Act of 2025, and Government Code section 27491.56, as amended.
A review of the prior contract determined the contractor’s services have not been utilized as of July 1, 2025. Due to the requirements of AB 1108, forensic pathology services specific to examination and autopsies of in-custody deaths must have an exclusive examiner. Rescinding the prior unutilized contract will allow for the execution of a new contract for these required exclusive services.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Office of the Sheriff will not be in compliance with the California Assembly Bill 1108, the Forensic Accountability, Custodial Transparency, and Safety (FACTS) Act of 2025, and Government Code section 27491...
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