AIKEN, S.C. (AP) - Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton has put together a temporary plan until a judge decides whether the county should pay a transport and removal service.
The Aiken Standard reports (https://bit.ly/1EOVjdk ) Friday was the last day that Rucker Removal Services said it would pick up and transport the deceased in the county until an outstanding balance was paid.
Rucker has not been paid for more than $40,000 in services since 2014, when the County Council froze a budget of roughly $50,000 for pickup and transportation of the deceased.
In May, Carlton’s attorney asked Barnwell County Judge James Barber for an emergency ruling.
Carlton says the coroner’s office has temporarily borrowed equipment from a local funeral home and asked reserve part-time deputies, along with a volunteer, to assist with transport.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.