Schuylkill County commissioners approved several contracts dealing with the coroner’s office recently.

At the March 3 commissioners meeting, commissioners voted to continue to use the Dauphin County Forensic Center for autopsy services at $450 a year, the same as 2020. Cost includes use of room, supplies and keeping of specimens.

Dr. Wayne Ross will continue to perform autopsies for $2,150 per autopsy, the same amount as 2020, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 as an independent contractor.

Among other things, the agreement does not guarantee that the number of autopsies performed is the same as the prior one, and permits him to perform autopsies for other entities.

Commissioners also renewed the contract with National Medical Services, Dauphin County for laboratory services.

The contract with Pennsylvania Specialty Pathology, Lancaster, is new.

The county had been using their services before on an as-needed basis, but now has a contract, County Administrator Gary Bender said.

All contracts will automatically renew yearly unless canceled by either party except for the contract with Ross, which can be canceled for cause.