Bartholomew County Commissioners Monday approved contractor and employment agreements for five employees.
Positions include coroner’s office manager, chief deputy coroner and three deputy coroners who assist or perform the duties of the coroner in his absence. The responsibilities of a coroner or deputy coroner may include investigation, autopsies, identification, keeping records and assisting law enforcement.
James Frederick serves as coroner’s office manager, with responsibilities including being familiar with Indiana coroner law, assisting the coroner with the budget, submitting claims, communicating with community members and funeral homes, responding to records requests, grant work and preparing news releases. His payment is $18,700 per year.
Charles Deweese serves as chief deputy coroner. His payment is $750 per year with an additional $200 per case worked.
Clayton Nolting and Tony Kummer serve as deputy coroners. Their payments are $500 per year with an additional $200 per case worked.
Jessica Barrett also serves as deputy coroner. Being married to Coroner Thomas Barrett, Commissioner Tony London raised the question of the anti-nepotism clause within Bartholomew County government. Barrett responded to London’s question, saying it was his understanding that the anti-nepotism clause did not apply to the coroner’s office or contracted employees. Since Jessica is a contracted employee, she would be exempt from the clause.
Barrett also pointed out Jessica’s added benefit, saying she is currently a registered nurse, paramedic and board-certified investigator with the coroner’s office.
Her payment will be the same as that of other deputy coroners at $500 with an additional $200 per case worked.
The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office is responsible for about 150 cases that require on-scene investigation per year, Barrett said. All contract and employment agreements have a one-year term, running from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.
