SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve Amendment No. 1 for the Emergency Medical Services ALS First Responder Agreement between Pinellas County and City of Clearwater for a budget increase for emergency medical services to the Clearwater Fire District and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMS Authority) is a special district created for the purpose of providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) throughout Pinellas County, pursuant to Chapter 80-585, Laws of Florida, and Chapter 54, Article III, Pinellas County Code, as amended.
Pinellas County has contracted with various municipalities and independent special fire districts in the County to provide first responder services and has also contracted with an ambulance contractor to provide emergency and non-emergency transport services.
Through this contract, Clearwater Fire & Rescue provides advanced life support services to the residents of the City of Clearwater and to individuals within the unincorporated area of Pinellas County that is located within the Clearwater Fire Control District.
On August 14, 2019, City Council approved the five-year Emergency Medical Services ALS First Responder Agreement between Pinellas County (Authority) and City of Clearwater (Contractor) commencing October 1, 2019 and ending at midnight September 30, 2024, which may be extended for an additional five-year period following the initial term, provided that the Parties mutually agree in writing to such extension. This agreement provides for reimbursement of engine and rescue units, EMS Coordination positions, and projected capital as outlined in Appendix A.
As noted in Section 701(f) of the initial Agreement, if there is an extraordinary budget increase exceeding 3% of the prior fiscal year’s budget, the increase must be negotiated and approved prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year. Clearwater Fire & Rescue submitted a budget increase and the Authority agreed to this increase and authorizes the Contractor’s budget request of 8.38% or $534,836, which increases the funding for Fiscal Year 20-21 to $6,920,226.
All terms of the initial Agreement will remain in full force and effect, and the Contractor and Authority agree that the effective date of Amendment No. 1 is October 1, 2020.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
NA
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
NA