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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 2, 2010 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 5 - b <br />SUBJECT: Public Hearing for EMS Franchise <br />DEPARTMENTS: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes <br />County Attorney <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Frank Montes de Oca, Emergency <br />Services, 245-6100 <br />Annette M. Moore, Staff Attorney, <br />245-2317 <br />PURPOSE: To conduct a public hearing on the need for ambulance services. <br />BACKGROUND: North Carolina General Statute § 153A-250 provides that before a County <br />may by ordinance franchise ambulance services in the County, "the Board of Commissioners <br />must first hold a public hearing on the need for ambulance services." Notice must be published <br />once a week for two successive weeks before the hearing. "After the hearing the Board may <br />adopt an ordinance if it finds that to do so is necessary to assure the provision of adequate and <br />continuing services and to preserve protect, the promote the public health, safety, and welfare." <br />Notice has been published as provided in the statute. <br />If the Board determines a need for ambulance service exists it may permit a franchise by <br />Ordinance. Any franchise ordinance granted by the Board cannot, in accordance with N.C. <br />Gen. Stat. § 153A-46, be adopted "until it has been passed at two regular meetings of the <br />Board of Commissioners." <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: None <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: <br />(1) Receive public comments; <br />(2) Deliberate on the need for ambulance services; <br />(3) Make a determination as to whether a need exists to permit by franchise an ambulance <br />service; and <br />(4) If the Board determines a need exists, direct staff to negotiate with franchise applicants <br />on a Franchise Agreement to bring to the Board. <br />