The Schuylkill County Commissioners sound frustrated with the Schuylkill County Coroner.

On Wednesday, commissioners approved a $1,100 budget adjustment for costs for the autopsies for the month of October. Finance Director Paul Buber said after the meeting an invoice was submitted for $6,450 for autopsies. Money was also previously allocated.

Employees of the office previously said state police, Pottsville Bureau of Police and other police departments are requesting the autopsies, which are done at the Dauphin County Forensic Center in Harrisburg. Drug-related deaths are on the rise in the county.

“I thought we were going to have a meeting with Dr. (David) Moylan,” Commissioner Gary Hess said.

Hess said he understands the county and nation are in “another epidemic” with drug deaths, but he wants answers on the rising costs.

“Your frustration is my frustration,” County Administrator Gary Bender said.

Bender said correspondence with the office has not been successful.

“I have not had any positive feedback from the coroner or his solicitor,” Bender said.

Hess said the commissioners want to work with the office but need to have a meeting.

“Moving forward if we don’t sit down with him, I can’t move forward with this,” Hess said.

Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said he will call Moylan. He didn’t say when that would be.

Moylan said Thursday he didn’t recall a phone call from the county regarding the matter. He could not speak for Eric Mika, solicitor for the office.

Moylan said he submitted a reduction in costs for autopsies for well-known pathologist Cyril Wecht. He calculated costs savings at $630 per autopsy, even after driving to Westmoreland County near Pittsburgh.