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Carolina Medical Transport franchise approved after debate over local office requirement
Summary
Beaufort County approved a 24/7 non-emergency transport franchise for Carolina Medical Transport. Commissioners debated whether renewals should require a physical in-county business presence; a motion to add that requirement failed for lack of a second.
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners reviewed an application from Carolina Medical Transport for a non-emergency basic life support (BLS) transport franchise. Staff reported the application was complete and included insurance and bonding documentation and described Carolina's capability to staff four units and provide bariatric transport.
Commissioners spent significant time debating whether the ambulance/franchise ordinance should be amended to require a physical office or base of operations in Beaufort County for any future renewals. One commissioner moved that future renewals require a local place of business (described in debate as a small 10-by-10 office). The motion to change the ordinance did not receive a second and therefore failed.
A staff attorney and county manager cautioned the board that, under the current ordinance interpretation, an in-county base is not required; staff noted that the board may still revoke a franchise if services do not materialize or fall short. Supporters of keeping the ordinance as written warned that requiring a local office could limit available providers in a county that already faces challenges securing ambulance/transport resources.
After debate the board voted to approve the Carolina Medical Transport franchise application. Staff will continue oversight as outlined in the franchise ordinance and bring renewal or enforcement items back to the board as needed.
