Orange County NC Website
z <br />In the Spring of 2004, because of internal disagreement among the membership of Orange <br />EMS & Rescue Squad, a mediation process was started that has resulted in the spin-off of a <br />new corporation, Technical Rescue Services, Incorporated, which conducts business as South <br />Orange Rescue Squad, Through the mediation process, the assets of Orange EMS & Rescue <br />Squad have been divided between the surviving corporation and the new corporation, and some <br />volunteers from the surviving corporation have transferred their membership into the new <br />corporation. The result of this process is effectively a return to the pre-merger status of the two <br />separate rescue squads, both of which are valuable partners with Orange County in the <br />provision of Emergency Medical and Rescue services, <br />Background materials for the November 16 public hearing included a proposed franchise <br />agreement by ordinance that was substantially in the form and content of the franchise <br />agreement ordinances that the Board is being asked to approve on first reading at this <br />December 6 meeting, Since November 16, additional detail has been added to each ordinance <br />to describe assets in Exhibit B and to provide (1) that if the Grantee desires to sell any assets <br />and has a bona fide offer, the County will have a right of first refusal to purchase the assets at <br />the same price as the bona fide offer and (2) for distribution of the assets (in line with Chapter <br />55A and the IRS Code) to another franchisee or the County upon dissolution of the Grantee. <br />If the Board approves the ordinances on first reading, they would be brought back for approval <br />on second reading at the December 14, 2004 BOCG meeting, <br />FINANCIAL. IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with the awarding of either <br />franchise agreement by ordinance. Funding to provide monthly stipends to both squads has <br />already been appropriated in the FY 2004-05 budget for the Emergency Management <br />Department, in keeping with the County's agreement for FY 2004-05 with Orange EMS & <br />Rescue Services, Both squads have agreed in writing to share the monthly stipend from the <br />County on a 50-50 basis for the remainder of the current fiscal year, <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the franchise <br />agreements by ordinance on first reading for Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, Incorporated and <br />for Technical Rescue Services, Incorporated. <br />