Orange County NC Website
7 <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Yuhasz <br /> to approve of no change to the current sales tax distribution methodology—which is the <br /> "Population" option for distributing local option sales taxes within Orange County for fiscal year <br /> 2010-11. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. First Reading: Emergency Services Franchise by Ordinance for Johnston <br /> Ambulance Service, Inc. <br /> The Board considered approving on First Reading the granting of a franchise by <br /> ordinance to Johnston Ambulance Service, Inc. (JAS) —the Franchise Agreement under which <br /> it will operate. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca summarized the abstract: <br /> On February 2, 2010, the Board held a Public Hearing to determine the need for <br /> ambulance services in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 153A-250(a). After <br /> taking comments from the public, the Board found that it was necessary to franchise <br /> ambulance services to assure the provision of adequate and continuing services and to <br /> preserve, protect, and promote the public health, safety, and welfare. Once the Board <br /> determined that ambulance services are necessary, it may by ordinance franchise ambulance <br /> services. However, "no ordinance making a grant, renewal, extension, or amendment of any <br /> franchise may be finally adopted until it has been passed at two regular meetings of the Board <br /> of Commissioners. No such grant, renewal, extension, or amendment may be made except by <br /> ordinance." The Board directed staff to enter into discussions with potential franchisees and to <br /> bring back proposed Franchise Agreements. Johnston Ambulance Service, Inc. will provide <br /> Convalescent Transport Services: Basic Life Support Transport and Emergency Services: <br /> Basic Life Support Transport." <br /> Annette Moore said that JAS meets requirements set out by the general statutes. <br /> Frank Montes de Oca said that this service will relieve Orange County of non- <br /> emergency calls and will be a positive fiscal impact. He read the Manager's recommendation. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz verified that JAS would not substitute for the Emergency <br /> Services ambulances. <br /> Commissioner Gordon made reference to Exhibit B on page 30 and said that the <br /> information for the exhibit was not filled in. Annette Moore said that it will be filled in with the <br /> assets of JAS. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that, according to the information in the Financial Impact <br /> section of the abstract, the financial impacts of the proposed granting of the franchise had not <br /> been determined. She would like to see some estimates of the impact. She asked that the <br /> estimates be written out in the agenda materials in the future. <br /> Frank Clifton said that he would bring back a summary page at the next meeting. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the consequences of getting the additional financial <br /> information before approving the franchise. <br /> It was answered that the franchise would not lapse before the second reading and the <br /> Board agreed to get the additional information for the second reading. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Nelson <br /> to approve on First Reading the granting of a franchise for a five-year term to Johnston <br /> Ambulance Service, Inc. for Basic Life Support Convalescent Transport Services and <br /> Emergency Services; approve the Franchise Agreement under which Johnston Ambulance <br /> Service, Inc. will operate during the five-year period of franchise, and that as a condition of the <br /> Franchise, JAS enter into an Operations Agreement with Orange County within 90 days to <br /> provide for the daily operational functions of JAS as it works within the Orange County <br />