(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 includes 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 their discretion.
(b) An applicant may apply for a franchise to operate either emergency transportation services or nonemergency transportation services. If more than one type of service is to be provided, separate applications may, at the discretion of the department, be required for each type.
(c) Upon receipt of an application for a franchise, the county shall schedule a time and place formeeting the applicant. Within 30 days after the meeting, the county shall cause such investigation as it may deem necessary to be made of the applicant and his 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.
(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. of 4-6-1998, § IV; Amend. of 8-3-2020; Amend. of 10-2-2023)