BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County Coroner Chris Todd and coroners across Kentucky are backing proposed legislation that would place their salaries on a scale comparable to other county constitutional offices.

House Bill 138, sponsored by Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon, would establish a new base pay structure for coroners and create four steps for annual pay increases, with salaries determined by county population.

Todd, who is on call around the clock, would fall into population group 3 under the bill. His salary would rise from $13,000 to $48,000.

Todd said the proposed amount is still about half the salary earned by other constitutional officers in Martin County but described it as a significant improvement.

“We deserve a fair wage,” he said. “I’m asking everyone for support. Please call our state representatives and ask them to support House Bill 138.”

Todd noted that Martin County officials do not even have health insurance.

If approved, the raises would be paid from county general funds.