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September 16, 2002 Page 449 (E-3) C~barrus County Non-Emergency Transport System Mr. Mike Downs, Public Safety Services Director, reported that he received a letter on August 26 from Charles M. Greene, Fire Chief for the Harrisburg Fire and Rescue Department, regarding financial concerns associated with the Non-Emergency Transport Franchise Agreement between Cabarrus County and the Department. The letter stated that in order for Harrisburg Fire and Rescue to continue to provide non-emergency transport service after September 30, 2002, the following conditions would need to be addressed: 1. A $90.00 supplement on each non-emergency transport is to be paid to Harrisburg Fire and Rescue on a monthly basis. 2. Cabarrus County will immediately begin all maintenance on Harrisburg Fire and Rescue ambulances. 3. Cabarrus County and Harrisburg Fire and Rescue will re-evaluate the supplement on a 12-month basis. Through budget analysis both Cabarrus County and Harrisburg Fire and Rescue will determine or negotiate a new supplement amount if needed. After reviewing the conditions set forth by Harrisburg Fire and Rescue, Mr. Downs reported staff looked at other possible options for non-emergency transport services and identified the following additional methods: (1) provide the service 'through an existing county department; and/or (2) contract with another private provider. After comparing the expense's and revenues, Mr. Downs stated staff determined it would be more cost effective for the County to contract with Mid-State Transport, Inc., which currently operates the County's van service. The contract would include the lease of a surplus County ambulance to Mid-State. Mr. David Hampton, EMS Director, addressed the Board regarding a number of issues associated with non-emergency transports. ~ He stated Harrisburg Fire and Rescue had done an excellent job during the past year in providing non-emergency transports and he understood their concerns regarding the expense of operating the service. Mr. Hampton supported the proposal to contract with Mid-State Transport and commented on the experience of the company's owner (Darryl Brooks) in providing non-emergency transports. Further, he responded to questions regarding Medicare reimbursements and suggested the possibility of entering into contracts with long-term care facilities to provide transportation for their patients. Mr. Bobby Greene, EMS Coordinator with the Harrisburg Fire and Rescue, commented on the small amount of funding (six cents per day per patient) that long-term care facilities receive to provide transportation for their patients. He also addressed the issue of Medicare reimbursements. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Fennel, seconded by Vice Chairman Carruth and unanimously carried, the Board authorized the County Manager and County Attorney to enter into a contract and/or franchise agreement with Mid-State Transport, Inc., including an addendum to .the existing Cabarrus County Transportation Services (CCTS) .contract. (~) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (~-1) Board of Equalization and Review The Board received the resignation of Harry G. Brown from the Board of Equalization and Review effective September 30, 2002. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Suggs, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board appointed William P. Ferriss to the Board of Equalization and Review for a term effective October 1, 2002, and ending on June 30, 2005. (G-2) Work First Block Grant Plannin~ Committee (Health Alliance Board Nominee) The Board received the nomination from the Health Alliance Board for the appointment of Charles Phillips to the Work First Block Grant Planning Committee for FY 2003-05. The Board appointed other members to the Planning Committee at its meeting on August 19, 2002.