DES MOINES, Iowa — A new agreement between Polk County and the State Medical Examiner’s Office will save the county money, according to the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

On Tuesday, Polk County announced the agreement for the State Medical Examiner’s Office to take over autopsy services for the county. A Medical Examiner’s Office will still be maintained by the county.

Board members say the county will save an estimated $1 million annually in personnel costs and between $26-47 million because a new facility won’t need to be constructed for the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office.

“Our current facility is too small, overcrowded, outdated, and does not have the equipment necessary to properly serve the residents of Polk County,” said Supervisor Mark Holm.

The county says it will work closely with the State Medical Examiner’s Office on its plans for a $36 million expansion of its facility on the campus of DMACC in Ankeny.

Board Vice Chair Jill Altringer said, “Having a standalone department with duplicative services would have required us to spend resources on recruiting and hiring highly skilled & highly paid positions.”