The Elmore County Republican Party will appoint a new nominee for coroner to go on the general election ballot following the arrest of the GOP candidate.
Douglas Lamar Neighbors, Jr., is charged with aggravated theft by deception involving funds from the Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as treasurer. He was accused of stealing more than $250,000 from the department.
"The Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department recently became aware of concerns involving the mishandling of department funds by a member of the department," the department stated. "Upon discovery, the department leadership immediately initiated an internal review and notified the appropriate authorities to ensure the matter is handled thoroughly and in accordance with all applicable laws and policies. Additionally, this member was immediately terminated from the department."
Neighbors has since dropped out of the Elmore County coroner's race, and there is no Democratic candidate. The Elmore County GOP is in the process of selecting a nominee. However, they are facing challenges that some say stem from the coroner's salary.
According to the fiscal year 2026 Elmore County budget, the coroner's office receives a total of $60,851. Of that, only $17,900 goes towards the coroner's annual salary.
While the current commission has increased the salary line item from just over $9,000, the current coroner, Dalan Gassett, told 1819 News the budget hasn't changed.
When Gassett became coroner, the office went paperless to save on paper and allow for electronic record-keeping. At the time, Gassett said the coroner's salary was $9,400, with a supplement of around $6,000 to cover expenses such as paper. So, while the budget appears to show an increase in pay, he said those funds were moved to the salary line item.
Gassett said he believes it will be challenging to find someone willing to run for coroner at the current salary.
"It's 99.9% of what it is," he said. "It's the salary. Let's say it's $37,000. That's still not enough really, but this is not an Elmore County problem. It's statewide."
Gassett said there are more than just financial challenges. As a coroner, he is always on call. Elmore County includes part of Lake Martin and five prisons. Gassett and his three deputy coroners must use their personal vehicles to reach death scenes and perform other duties.
Coroners investigate and track unnatural deaths. According to Alabama law, the duties of the coroner are to examine bodies and attempt to ascertain the cause and manner of death, take sworn statements on certain deaths, summon a jury in some cases and issue subpoenas.
While he appreciates the coroner's position, Gassett said the challenges are overwhelming. He said he would run for coroner again if changes were made, but he said he is basically making $2.04 an hour. He said he believes the pay should be $37,000 annually and that a county vehicle should be provided.
"I'm not upset with anyone; I'm just going on my time," Gassett said. "I ran for office and for four years, I have tried to get the salary up. I am a law enforcement officer. I've been a criminal investigator and I have been for 27 years. I've been in public safety for 35. So, you know, you bring to the table a whole lot of experience, and to be on call every day."
"I guess you have to take lemons and make lemonade out of it," Gassett added. "I guess hopefully some things will change, but I don't know."
As the Elmore County Commission prepares its fiscal year 2027 budget, an increase in the coroner's budget is not expected.
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