HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-21-1998 - 8bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 21, 1998
Action Agenda
Item No. g_ b
SUBJECT: Franchise Amendment -Johnston Ambulance Service Request for Rate Increase (First
Reading)
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) ~o;`;<
BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) Na-'
ATTACHMENT(S):
None
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nick Waters, ext 3030
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider an amendment to the franchise of Johnston Ambulance Service related
to their request to increase rates for non-emergency ambulance transports within Orange County.
BACKGROUND: In May of 1994, the County granted a franchise to Johnston Ambulance
Service to provide convalescent non-emergency transports within Orange County. Johnston has
been performing satisfactorily since they began business. Section 13.1 of the County's franchise
ordinance provides that "each franchisee shall submit a schedule of rates to the County for approval
and shall not charge more nor less than the approved rates without specific approval by the County".
Johnston's ambulance rates were originally approved by Commissioners at an eighty five dollaz
($85.00) base, plus three dollazs, fifty cents ($3.50) per loaded mile (with patient actually in
ambulance). Johnston has not previously asked to increase their rates since their franchise was
initially granted.
Johnston's request for a new rate schedule is:
Base rate
_ $125.Of1 per trip
s13ra~gts~t'k mile .
Oxygen $15.00 used in trip
These rates are in line with the industry standard for this region. Staff checked the rates of three
area companies, which are as follows:
$85.00 + $25.00/hr waiting $3.50 per loaded transport mile $16.50/trip
fee
$125.00 N/A $20.00/trip
~t . $250.00 $4.00 per loaded transport mile N/A
This request was presented to the EMS Advisory Council for their review, who found this request to
be reasonable and recommended it be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners.
Under NCGS 153A-46, any action related to granting or amending a franchise requires a passing
vote by the governing board at two regular meetings. If the Board votes to approve this request, the
item would be brought back for consideration of a second reading at the Board's next regular
meeting.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the amendment to
the franchise and new rate schedule as requested by Johnston Ambulance Service.