NS ORD-1997-035 EMS Franchise Application

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application to be acted upon by the Board of County Commissioners. When initially presented, Mid-South Medical Transport's franchise requested to do business with UNC Hospitals in transporting patients home that have been discharged. The company has since indicated that it would further like to be franchised for convalescent transports throughout Orange County. While Mid-South maintains that the Hospitals could use additional service, County staff conversations with hospital personnel indicate that the current provider, Johnston Ambulance, can provide all the service that UNC Hospital requires at this time. Section 6.4 of the franchise ordinance sets forth the conditions under which the Board may grant a franchise -namely, if it finds that: • the applicant meets county/state standards and standards outlined in the franchise ordinance • the proposed service will fit within the existing service so as not to adversely affect the level of the service or operations of other franchisees to render service • a need exists for the rendered service in order to improve the level of service available to residents of the County helping to assure the provision of adequate and continuing service which preserves, protects, and promotes the public health, safety, and welfare and that granting the franchise is a reasonable and cost effective manner of meeting the need Section 13.1 of the County's ordinance requires each franchisee to submit a schedule of rates to the County for approval, and to charge no more and no less than the approved rates without specific approval from the County. Johnston Ambulance Service's existing charge for convalescent service is $85.00 (eighty five dollars) base,plus$3.50 (three dollars and fifty cents)per loaded mile (with the patient actually riding on the ambulance). Johnston Ambulance Service indicates that they do not expect a rate increase for the remainder of 1997. While staff recommends that the franchise not be awarded to Mid-South because of the lack of documented need for the service, should the Board decide to grant the franchise, staff recommends that the same rates charged by Johnston Ambulance Service be approved for Mid-South as well. Representatives of Mid-South have indicated that they are willing to abide by these rates in order to obtain the franchise in Orange County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board not approve the franchise for Mid-South Medical Transport.