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Scotland County advances EMS headquarters procurement amid cautions about grant rules
Summary
Commissioners authorized staff to continue scoring RFQs and moving toward interviews for a legislatively allocated $6.5 million EMS headquarters, while county counsel and commissioners flagged a risk that OSBM could recoup funds if the facility is not used for EMS as intended.
County Manager Snead told the board on June 11 that the Office of State Budget and Management has allocated $6,500,000 for a new Scotland County EMS headquarters and that the county has spent $103,000 on site work to date. Nine firms responded to the RFQ; Snead said next steps are to score proposals, conduct interviews and proceed to contract negotiations with a design firm.
Snead cautioned that if the county later privatizes EMS and the building is not used for EMS purposes OSBM could require repayment of grant funds. County Attorney Ed Johnston said the county has experience repaying grants when conditions are not met and advised caution. "Grants have particular requirements and advised to be careful," Johnston said. Commissioner Ivey urged moving ahead with procurement because returning $6.5 million would be irresponsible; "it would be irresponsible to throw $6.5 million dollars back to the State," he said.
Snead said the grant allocation is extended through June 2027 and that staff has reached out to OSBM; she recommended proceeding with scoring and interviews while seeking formal verification from OSBM and noted that the earlier the county advances procurement the stronger its case for continued compliance or an extension. The board did not make a final procurement decision at the June 11 meeting but by consensus asked staff to proceed with scoring RFQs and to report back at the June 29 meeting.
