<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 15-16. - Procedures for grant.</div>
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            <p class="incr0">
               (a)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Prior to accepting applications for the operation of an ambulance service, the board
               of commissioners may designate specific service areas as franchise districts. The
               districts will be established using criteria that include geographic size, road access,
               the location of existing medical transportation services, population, and response
               time. The county shall have the authority to redistrict or rearrange existing districts
               at any time at its discretion.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (b)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               An applicant must apply for a franchise to operate either emergency transportation
               service and nonemergency transportation service or both. If both types of service
               are to be provided, separate applications must be filed for each type.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (c)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               Upon receipt of an application for a franchise, the county shall schedule a time and
               place for hearing the applicant. Within 30 days after the hearing, or as soon as may
               be practical the county shall conduct an investigation of the applicant, the proposed
               operation and other existing operations, if applicable.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr0">
               (d)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content1">
               A franchise may be granted if the county finds that:
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (1)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The applicant meets all applicable state standards, standards outlined in this article,
               and standards required by the Catawba County Emergency Medical Services System Plan.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (2)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               The proposed service will fit within the existing service so as not to adversely affect
               the level of service or operations of other franchisees to render service.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="incr1">
               (3)
               </p>
            		
            <p class="content2">
               A need exists for the proposed service to improve the level of ambulance services
               available to residents of the county, and this is a reasonable and cost effective
               manner of meeting the need.
               </p>
            		
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. No. 2013-11, 8-5-2013)
               </p></div>