Agenda - 12-14-2004-5p(2) Franchise for Orange Rescue Squad 12-14-08

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2 County: Orange County Rescue Squad in Hillsborough and South Orange Rescue Squad in Carrboro. Each of these agencies was franchised by the Commissioners to provide Emergency Medical and Rescue services. In January 2000, the two squads merged to form one agency, Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, Incorporated. Orange County continued to contract with this merged agency to provide EMS and Rescue Services." In the Spring of 2004, because of internal disagreement among the membership of Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, a mediation process was started that has resulted in the spin-off of a new corporation, Technical Rescue Services, Incorporated, which conducts business as South Orange Rescue Squad. Through the mediation process, the assets of Orange EMS & Rescue Squad have been divided between the surviving corporation and the new corporation, and some volunteers from the surviving corporation have transferred their membership into the new corporation. The result of this process is effectively a return to the pre-merger status of the two separate rescue squads, both of which are valuable partners with Orange County in the provision of Emergency Medical and Rescue services. Background materials for the November 16 public hearing included a proposed franchise agreement by ordinance that was substantially in the form and content of the franchise agreement ordinances that the Board approved on first reading at the December 6 meeting. For the December 6 meeting, additional detail was added to each ordinance to describe assets in Exhibit B and to provide (1)that if the Grantee desires to sell any assets and has a bona fide offer, the County will have a right of first refusal to purchase the assets at the same price as the bona fide offer and (2) for distribution of the assets (in line with NCGS Chapter 55A and the IRS Code)to another franchisee or the County upon dissolution of the Grantee. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with the awarding of either franchise agreement by ordinance. Funding to provide monthly stipends to both squads has already been appropriated in the FY 2004-05 budget for the Emergency Management Department, in keeping with the County's agreement for FY 2004-05 with Orange EMS & Rescue Services. Both squads have agreed in writing to share the monthly stipend from the County on a 50-50 basis for the remainder of the current fiscal year. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the franchise agreements by ordinance on second reading for Orange EMS & Rescue Squad, Incorporated and for Technical Rescue Services, Incorporated.