County revises ambulance certificate rules, creates vehicle permit and extends application cycle

The Board adopted an updated Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) ordinance that refocuses county oversight on ambulance services, establishes a new vehicle permit and inspection process, adjusts insurance requirements and expands advisory council membership.

Public Safety Director Ron Garetta told the board the rewrite reduces certificate classes from six to two: Class A (exclusive emergency response for the St. Lucie County Fire District) and Class B (non‑emergency service for private providers). The ordinance removes county oversight of nonmedical wheelchair and stretcher transportation, which is not required by state statute.

Major changes include a shift from annual application cycles to a four‑year cycle beginning January 2027, an annual vehicle permit and inspection fee (inspection to be applied on a case‑by‑case basis in response to complaints), and an increased insurance requirement of $1,000,000 per occurrence for liability. The county will also expand the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council to 15 members, with 11 voting members primarily representing hospitals and ER staff; private Class B providers will be nonvoting ex‑officio members to avoid potential conflicts.

Board action: the ordinance passed, though one commissioner recorded opposition because of concerns about council voting membership for Class B providers. The related fee resolution for vehicle permits and inspection was approved under a separate motion.