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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The Blair County Coroner's Office expects to be outfitting all staff with metal badges, thanks to a donation from Manny Nichols and Clear Creek Co.
Chief Deputy Coroner Ray Benton, who asked commissioners Tuesday about purchasing 13 badges and leather cases for $2,325 based on a quote from a Pittsburgh company, said Thursday that he was withdrawing the request because Nichols offered to cover the cost.
In response, Commissioners Chairman Bruce Erb expressed his thanks to Nichols and his company.
Nichols, reached later by phone, said he made the offer after reading the Altoona Mirror story about Benton's request on Tuesday and the commissioners' reaction.
"I consider the coroner's office to be law enforcement so I was sort of shocked when they wouldn't buy them badges," Nichols said. "So I just decided that I'd be willing to help them out."
Commissioners on Tuesday didn't make a decision on Benton's request to buy badges like the ones issued to employees in the sheriff's and parole/probation offices.
Instead, commissioners spoke of reviewing the request when working on the 2024 budget and looking for less expensive options.
Erb also mentioned on Tuesday that the coroner's office was "way over budget" for 2023 because of autopsy costs, which Benton said Thursday is not something that his office can determine because it's done upon request.
Erb acknowledged "little control" over autopsy costs but countered that commissioners are responsible for the county budget and its necessities.
"These are not necessities," Erb said of the metal badges.
Commissioner Amy Webster, who on Tuesday spoke of looking for other funding sources to pay for the badges, said after Thursday's meeting that spending from the county's general fund has to be based on priorities.
"What is our priority," Webster asked, "autopsies or badges?"
Nichols said that he has some familiarity with those who work in the coroner's office and the work they handle.
"I think they're underpaid and understaffed," Nichols said. "So I'm just glad to help them out."
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.