DATE: July 9, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement for Paramedic Ambulance Services with the City of Selma
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with the City of Selma, for paramedic ambulance services, effective July 1, 2019, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $67,500.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will continue paramedic ambulance services in Fresno County Ambulance Zone G, Selma Response Area, which encompasses the City of Selma and the surrounding area. The recommended agreement satisfies the requirement of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations that the County have a written agreement with paramedic provider agencies. The services will be funded with Health Realignment, with no increase in Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should the Board not approve the recommended action, the existing agreement would expire and the County would be in violation of State regulations until an agreement for paramedic ambulance services is established.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2019, due to extended delays related to the City of Selma’s approval process. The City of Selma approved the agreement on June 3, 2019, the prior agreement expired on June 30, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum amount of the agreement is $67,500 which includes $13,500 for each fiscal year. The agreement will be fully offset with Health Realignment funds. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Department of Public Health Org 5620 FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent fiscal year budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
Since 1978, the County has provided monthly payments to local rural ambulance service providers to assist with estimated uncompensated care costs. The proposed agreement will continue this reimbursement process.
Approval of the recommended agreement will provide continued paramedic ambulance service in Fresno County Ambulance Zone G, Selma Response Area. The City of Selma is the only provider of paramedic ambulance services in the area on a non-exclusive basis; therefore, does not restrict the County from contracting with other providers for the same or similar services. The proposed agreement continues the existing response and performance requirements.
In 2018, the City of Selma responded to 4,979 requests for service and performed 3,900 transports.
With your Board’s approval, the County will continue the contract with the City of Selma for paramedic ambulance services in Fresno County Ambulance Zone G, Selma Response Area. The recommended agreement contains a mutual indemnification clause. In addition, either of the parties can terminate contract without cause upon 90-day written notice, and parties can terminate for cause with a 10-day advance notice with an opportunity to cure. In the event of an act of god, act of public enemy, or other extraordinary cause not reasonably within the control of either party, the proposed agreement has a force majeure clause that excuses the parties’ performance under the contract. The agreement satisfies the requirement of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations for a written agreement with local paramedic provider agencies.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
BAI #47, June 6, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with City of Selma
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa