Lee County holds public hearing on 9-1-1 franchise after competing bids; board delays ordinance reading

The Lee County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing Oct. 6 on the need for countywide emergency medical services and a franchise to provide them, heard competing presentations from two bidders, and postponed the first reading of an EMS franchise ordinance until Oct. 20.

The hearing followed presentations by MedEx Medical Transport and First Health of the Carolinas about their proposals to provide 9-1-1 ambulance service under a county franchise. MedEx's chief operations officer, Jeff White, addressed the board and said the procurement process had lacked transparency and consistency. "MedEx proposal was approximately $12,000,000 less than the first health, contractor for the term," White said, urging the county to reconsider or rebid the solicitation.

First Health representatives told the board they have operated Lee County's 9-1-1 ambulance service under the existing contract and emphasized local staffing, investments and performance. Jonathan Davis, chief operating officer for First Health of the Carolinas, said First Health had received the EMS advisory committee's unanimous recommendation. Matt Prestwood, president responsible for regional EMS operations, said the provider's average response time for the county has been 7.55 minutes and described staffing and capital investments, including seven paramedic classes and $1.7 million in capital spending on vehicles and technology.

Local clinicians and county residents spoke during the public hearing. Nathan Miller, Lee County EMS medical director and a local emergency physician, said he had worked with First Health as medical director for about two and a half years and found the provider "very committed to support quality patient care." Sanford resident Teresa Tudor described personal experiences calling 9-1-1 and credited First Health crews with timely, professional care. Paramedic supervisor Matthew McBride urged the board to weigh operational disruption and staffing impacts from a provider change, saying: "A transition to another provider might look simple on paper, but it comes with significant challenges that affect both first responders and the citizens we serve."

A citizen, David Smoak, said he had concerns about potential improprieties during the bidding process and asked the board to ensure any such allegations are investigated and documented.

County staff explained statutory and procedural next steps for franchising. Whitney (staff member) told the board that North Carolina General Statute 153A-250 authorizes counties to franchise ambulance services and requires public hearings; the county had advertised and held the first of two hearings, with a second hearing scheduled Oct. 20. After receiving public comment, the board considered whether to hold the ordinance's first reading that night or wait until Oct. 20; the board collectively chose to defer the first reading to the Oct. 20 meeting.

The record shows the public hearing was opened, testimony was taken from multiple speakers for and against continuing the present contractor, and the board elected to postpone the ordinance first reading to the next meeting for further consideration.

The county will hold the second statutorily required public hearing Oct. 20, after which the board may proceed with readings of the ordinance and consider a franchise agreement and related documents.

Ending: The franchise process will continue publicly; the board scheduled the second public hearing for Oct. 20 and deferred formal ordinance action until that meeting.