Commissioners Questioned about Coroner Salary and Appointment in Lake County
During the public comment portion of Thursday’s Lake County Commission meeting, the owners of two local funeral homes addressed the upcoming appointment of a Coroner for Lake County. Mark Rustand has served as the Lake County Coroner since 2017, when he was appointed by the County following the retirement of Ted Weiland. Rustand then won an election in 2018, and ran unopposed in 2020.
At Thursday’s meeting, Laura Boecker of Kinzley Funeral Home said that she hopes the County will appoint the Sheriff or a deputy to the position of Coroner.
Bob Ellsworth of the Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison, said the neighboring counties do not pay as much to their Coroner as Lake County does.
Boecker said having a funeral director serve as Coroner creates a conflict of interest, and puts pressure on the families of the deceased.
In 2024 and 23, Lake County budgeted $8,400 for Coroner salaries, plus $3,000 dollars for Professional Services, which is the money paid to a Coroner for responding to call for service. Lake County pays $150 per call for service. The $8,400 for salaries was not budgeted for 2025, as no one filed a petition to run for the position.
According to information provided by Ellsworth, Kingsbury County pays $125 per call. McCook County pays $58 plus milage, Miner $75, and Moody $100. Many counties utilize Sherriff’s or deputies as Coroner, but a large number, including McCook County, have funeral directors.
Later in the meeting, commissioners voted to advertise for applications to fill the Coroner position. The commission could appoint someone as early as November 19th. Rustand’s term as Coroner ends this coming January.
