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Lee County board directs staff to begin franchise negotiations with First Health for EMS coverage
Summary
After MedEx negotiations failed, county staff told commissioners First Health is willing to provide EMS services but asked for an additional $347,459; the board authorized staff to respond to First Health and bring a first reading of a franchise ordinance at the May 18 meeting so service can begin by July 1.
A special-called Lee County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 4 opened with an update on emergency medical services after county staff said negotiations with the incumbent applicant, MedEx, had stalled.
"We have reached out to First Health as they were the other applicant," County staff Whitney told the board, adding that First Health "has indicated a willingness to do so" but requested an additional $347,459 to cover costs through the transition to July 1.
Whitney told the board that, because this was a special meeting, staff could not hold a formal first reading of a franchise ordinance that night and instead asked for direction to notify First Health that staff would bring a first reading on May 18 and begin formal negotiations.
Commissioners debated whether to seek a one-year interim contract to bridge to July 1 or to accept First Health's preference for a longer-term agreement. Commissioners noted statutory and procedural requirements: a franchise-extension would require a public hearing and two separate readings, which constrains the timeline if the county needs a replacement provider in place by July 1.
One commissioner pressed staff on whether a one-year agreement had been requested; Whitney said First Health had declined a one-year term in earlier conversations and that time was short to complete the public-hearing and two-reading process in mid-May and June.
A motion to direct staff to respond to First Health and prepare for a May 18 first reading of a franchise ordinance passed; the board did not record roll-call vote details in the transcript.
What happens next: staff will send a letter to First Health indicating the board's direction to proceed with negotiations and prepare a draft franchise ordinance for the May 18 meeting. Commissioners emphasized the July 1 service start date as the critical deadline.
