Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on November 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO CERTIFICATE CLASSIFICATIONS; AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 3½ OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”); PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS AND CLASS 6 BLS TRANSPORT BY SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROVIDERS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis)
body
Why Action is Necessary
Applicable law requires the publication of notice and a public hearing for enactment of amendments to the Broward County Code of Ordinances (“Code”).
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) may consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Chapter 3½ of the Code requires that any person, firm, corporation, or association obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“Certificate”) from the County before providing Basic Life Support (“BLS”) services within Broward County.
Nonemergency medical transportation services play a critical role in protecting public health and safety.
The proposed Ordinance amends Chapter 3½ of the Code to establish Class 6 Certificates, which would increase opportunities for small businesses to provide BLS services. Eligibility for Class 6 Certificates would be limited to small businesses that employ 15 or fewer full-time employees and have average annual gross revenues over the past three years not exceeding $3,000,000. Each Class 6 Certificate holder must maintain a fleet of at least two, but no more than seven, ambulances.
Class 6 Certificates do not allow Certificate holders to respond to 911 or emergency calls, transport patients to emergency departments for acute medical care, or perform Advanced Life Support (ALS) services.
Applications for Class 6 Certificates will be processed in the same manner as other Certificates. However, if the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of Certificates available, and the Board determines that the applicants meet the criteria in Chapter 3½, the Certificates will be awarded by random drawing from the pool of eligible applicants.
Before a Certificate is issued, the Certificate holder must enter into an agreement with the County, which will include provisions for an annual administrative fee, County-mandated rates, and County-requested emergency response obligations.
A Class 6 Certificate would be valid for five years, unless otherwise revoked, suspended, or modified.
The proposed Ordinance also amends Chapter 3½ of the Code to provide that no emergency medical service (“EMS”) provider that holds a Class 2, Class 3, or Class 6 Certificate may operate as, or be an Affiliated Entity of, another EMS provider that holds a Certificate to provide ALS or BLS services in Broward County. This restriction is included to provide more opportunities for businesses providing nonemergency medical transportation.
Source of Additional Information
Adam Katzman, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.