(A) Prior to accepting applications for the operation of an ambulance service, the Board of Commissioners may designate specific service areas as franchise districts. Such districts will be established using criteria that include geographic size, road access, the location of existing medical transportation services, population, and response time. The county shall have the authority to redistrict or rearrange existing districts at any time at its discretion.
(B) An applicant may apply for a franchise to operate emergency transport or non-emergency transportation service. If both types of service are to be provided, separate application must be filed for each type.
(C) Upon receipt of an application for a franchise, the county will review the application and, if necessary, will interview the applicant. Within 30 days after review of the application and interview (if necessary), the county shall cause such investigation as it may deem necessary to be made of the applicant and its proposed operations.
(D) A franchise may be granted if the county finds that:
(1) The applicant shows a reasonable effort to meet state standards and standards outlined in this chapter;
(2) The proposed service will fit within the existing service so as not to adversely affect the level of service or operations of other franchisees to render service; and
(3) A need exists for the proposed service in order to improve the level of services available to residents of the county and a reasonable and cost effective manner of meeting the need.
(Ord. passed 7-6-1999; Ord. 2022-16, passed 6-20-2022)