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The county legislative body is granted discretionary authority to create the office of county coroner. If such office is created, the county legislative body must elect a coroner who holds office for two years, and until a successor is qualified. However, in those counties that have a county medical examiner, the county legislative body may vest the duties of the county coroner in the county medical examiner and is not required to elect a county coroner. T.C.A. § 8-9-101.
The coroner must, before entering upon the duties of that office, enter into an official bond prepared, executed, filed, and recorded in accordance with Title 8, Chapter 19. The bond must be in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or a greater amount set by the county legislative body by resolution, payable to the state, conditioned truly and faithfully to execute the duties of the office of coroner. The coroner, if failing to give bond within ten days after appointment, shall vacate the office. T.C.A. § 8-9-103.