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Governor will name coroner replacement
By Jessie Waldheim
Daily News staff writer
JANESVILLE - The governor is seeking applicants for a new Rock County coroner following Karen Gilbertson's plea Thursday.
Gilbertson, who has served in the elected position since 1994, announced her retirement during a court appearance Thursday, when she pleaded no contest to felony misconduct in public office. The charge stems from accusations that she took pain medications from death investigations.
With the office vacant, it falls to Gov. Jim Doyle to choose a replacement. The county has no official say in who is appointed.
Doyle is accepting applications through April 22 for the position, according to a press release from his office.
The person appointed would need to live in Rock County at the time of appointment. Resumes and cover letters should outline professional and academic experiences and describe civic activities and community involvement in Rock County. They should be sent to the Office of the Governor, Attention: Mindy Walker, 115 East, State Capitol, Madison, Wis. 53707. Those with questions on the application process can call Mindy Walker at (608)266-1212.
After applications are collected, interviews will be scheduled. There is no time limit for when the position must be filled, explained Doyle spokeswoman Melanie Fonder.
"He has as long as is necessary, but we certainly want it to be a quick and efficient process," Fonder said.
Currently the Dane County coroner is administering the Rock County office. Rock County recently approved an agreement to continue the partnership until Aug. 15.
A proposal to switch Rock County from a coroner's system to a medical examiner system has been backed by several county supervisors, but was held up in the Public Safety and Justice Committee last month.
However, the committee Monday asked county staff to gather information on a job description, pay, benefits and qualifications for a medical examiner, Chairman Adam Peer said.
He is optimistic the new information will bring the committee to a vote on the issue, thus forwarding it to the full county board.
The change to a medical examiner system would not become effective until the end of Gilbertson's term in January 2007 even if approved this year. The new coroner appointed by Doyle would serve through the end of Gilbertson's term.
The appointed coroner will be making the same pay as Gilbertson, explained Rock County Corporation Counsel Tom Schroeder.
Gilbertson's pay will cease after Thursday, the effective date of her retirement, instead of continuing until April 15 when her paid leave expires, he said.
Her salary in 2005 was set at $48,190. As of Thursday she had earned approximately $12,510, according to Rock County Human Resources Director John Becker.
With Gilbertson choosing to retire, she will be eligible for her normal benefits through the Wisconsin Retirement System, explained Schroeder.
"Elected officials and all county employees all have money paid into the Wisconsin Retirement System," he said.
The calculation for annuities is based on the number of years served and the three highest earning years of service, Schroeder said.
The last three years represent the highest salary for Gilbertson. She made $44,318 in 2002, $45,869 in 2003 and $47,245 in 2004, explained Becker.
He declined to speculate how much she could receive in retirement payments, saying the formula was too complicated. But he added the payments will not cost the county anything currently, but it has in the past.
The county pays the employer and employee share of the Wisconsin Retirement System while elected officials are working, Becker said.
Gilbertson also will be able to continue health and dental benefits, added Schroeder.
She will be eligible to keep her dental and medical benefits until the end of the month. After April she will be eligible for dental insurance for 18 months and health insurance indefinitely if she pays premiums, Becker explained.
Dental premiums are set at $24.70 per month for single plans and $68.13 for families. Retiree health premiums are $537.91 for singles and $1,073.30 for families per month, according to information on county policy Schroeder supplied to Gilbertson's attorney.
Gilbertson, who has served in the elected position since 1994, announced her retirement during a court appearance Thursday, when she pleaded no contest to felony misconduct in public office. The charge stems from accusations that she took pain medications from death investigations.
With the office vacant, it falls to Gov. Jim Doyle to choose a replacement. The county has no official say in who is appointed.
Doyle is accepting applications through April 22 for the position, according to a press release from his office.
The person appointed would need to live in Rock County at the time of appointment. Resumes and cover letters should outline professional and academic experiences and describe civic activities and community involvement in Rock County. They should be sent to the Office of the Governor, Attention: Mindy Walker, 115 East, State Capitol, Madison, Wis. 53707. Those with questions on the application process can call Mindy Walker at (608)266-1212.
After applications are collected, interviews will be scheduled. There is no time limit for when the position must be filled, explained Doyle spokeswoman Melanie Fonder.
"He has as long as is necessary, but we certainly want it to be a quick and efficient process," Fonder said.
Currently the Dane County coroner is administering the Rock County office. Rock County recently approved an agreement to continue the partnership until Aug. 15.
A proposal to switch Rock County from a coroner's system to a medical examiner system has been backed by several county supervisors, but was held up in the Public Safety and Justice Committee last month.
However, the committee Monday asked county staff to gather information on a job description, pay, benefits and qualifications for a medical examiner, Chairman Adam Peer said.
He is optimistic the new information will bring the committee to a vote on the issue, thus forwarding it to the full county board.
The change to a medical examiner system would not become effective until the end of Gilbertson's term in January 2007 even if approved this year. The new coroner appointed by Doyle would serve through the end of Gilbertson's term.
The appointed coroner will be making the same pay as Gilbertson, explained Rock County Corporation Counsel Tom Schroeder.
Gilbertson's pay will cease after Thursday, the effective date of her retirement, instead of continuing until April 15 when her paid leave expires, he said.
Her salary in 2005 was set at $48,190. As of Thursday she had earned approximately $12,510, according to Rock County Human Resources Director John Becker.
With Gilbertson choosing to retire, she will be eligible for her normal benefits through the Wisconsin Retirement System, explained Schroeder.
"Elected officials and all county employees all have money paid into the Wisconsin Retirement System," he said.
The calculation for annuities is based on the number of years served and the three highest earning years of service, Schroeder said.
The last three years represent the highest salary for Gilbertson. She made $44,318 in 2002, $45,869 in 2003 and $47,245 in 2004, explained Becker.
He declined to speculate how much she could receive in retirement payments, saying the formula was too complicated. But he added the payments will not cost the county anything currently, but it has in the past.
The county pays the employer and employee share of the Wisconsin Retirement System while elected officials are working, Becker said.
Gilbertson also will be able to continue health and dental benefits, added Schroeder.
She will be eligible to keep her dental and medical benefits until the end of the month. After April she will be eligible for dental insurance for 18 months and health insurance indefinitely if she pays premiums, Becker explained.
Dental premiums are set at $24.70 per month for single plans and $68.13 for families. Retiree health premiums are $537.91 for singles and $1,073.30 for families per month, according to information on county policy Schroeder supplied to Gilbertson's attorney.
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