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• OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

CHARLES A. GRADDICK
JAMES R. SOLOMON. JR. ATTORNEY GENERAL
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF ALABAMA
WILLIAM M. BEKURS. JR.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

WALTER S. TURNER
ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING
CHIEF ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

JANIE NOBLES
NOV 22 1983 64 NORTH UNION STREET
MONTGOMERY. ALABAMA 36130
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AREA 120516345150

Honorable Rickey Stokes

Coroner
Houston County
P. 0. Box 6406
Dothan, Alabama 36302
Counties - Coroners - Funds
Houston County Commission
cannot furnish the office of
Coroner with office supplies
and equipment.
Dear Mr. Stokes:
Reference is made to your request for an opinion from
the Attorney General as to whether the Houston County
Commission may furnish the office of Coroner of Houston
County with supplies and equipment.
Your question is to be answered in the negative.
This office ruled in prior opinions that a County
Commission may in its discretion furnish the County Coroner
with an office and a telephone if such office space is
available in the county courthouse. Opinion of the Attorney
General to the Honorable Leslie Vance, President of the
Alabama Coroners' Association dated April 5, 1972 and Opinion
of the Attorney General to the Honorable David Carnes, County
Attorney of Etowah County dated May 23, 1975. These opinions
based their conclusions on Code of Alabama 1975, Section
11-3-11(a)(1) and Section 11-3-12 which authorize the County
Commissions to designate offices in the courthouses and
install telephones therein.
As to whether a county may equip these offices and
furnish the necessary supplies, a county as a governmental
Honorable Rickey Stokes
Coroner
Page Two

agency of the State cannot expend any funds without express

or implied authorization by legislative act. Montgomery v.
State, 228 Ala. 296, 153 So. 394. My research does not
reveal any local or general legislation which authorizes the
Houston County Commission to furnish equipment and supplies
for the office of the Houston County Coroner.
Furthermore, this office has ruled that there is no
legislative authority for the Houston County Commission to
furnish personnel for the office of Coroner. Opinion of the
Attorney General to the Honorable Jack Still, Houston County
Coroner, dated June 2, 1981.
I trust that your question has been adequately
answered.
If our office can be of further assistance, please do
not hesitate to let us know.
Sincerely,
CHARLES A. GRADDICK
Attorney General
By:

6-Ptd-a1
LYNDA K. OSWALD
Assistant Attorney General
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