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Director Wright reported that Mr. Cormody (one of the service <br />providers) advised him that he had to lay off some workers because <br />there was insufficient business. <br />Commissioner Macht had heard a complaint that other providers <br />for "private pay" were unreliable and arrived with dirty vehicles, <br />whereas a call to Able Ambulance resulted in a clean, modern <br />vehicle with very attentive attendants. He felt that was a strong <br />endorsement of need. <br />Director Wright advised that the ordinance would have to be <br />changed if the Board approves Able's request. <br />County Attorney Vitunac felt that if the Board had the power <br />to deny an "E" license, they also had the power to restrict it to <br />private pay. He thought that, for today's purposes, they could <br />give a restricted (to private pay) "E" license. <br />Chairman Adams opened the public hearing and asked if anyone <br />wished to be heard in this matter. <br />Gary Burdsall, president of Able Health Services, a subsidiary <br />of Able Aviation and Air Ambulance, briefly asked the Board to <br />approve the issuance of a Class "E" Certificate, limited to private <br />pay clients (Alternative 3) today. He noted that a couple of <br />months ago they had an unannounced inspection by the State of <br />Florida and were given exemplary records and vehicle status <br />assessments. <br />Commissioner Eggert asked Mr. Burdsall to describe what he <br />would like to do in a private pay program. <br />Mr. Burdsall responded that some of the facilities require <br />moving patients by wheelchair and the facility or the person is <br />willing to pay for the service themselves. He would welcome the <br />opportunity to service the community under the CTC. Today, <br />however, he requested approval of Alternate 3. <br />Tom Fritz, Transportation Director for Council on Aging and <br />Transportation Coordinator for the County, advised that at the last <br />meeting of the TDLCB one of the issues was whether or not the <br />community's need is being met. The specific question was asked if <br />anyone was aware of the need not being met. At that point, there <br />was no designated need. Going a step further, he met with many of <br />the local medical providers to determine if there was anything that <br />could be done to better serve them. Florida Eye Clinic requested <br />that scheduled hours be extended to 6 pm. <br />Commissioner Bird asked his position on Alternate 3, and Mr. <br />Fritz advised that there is an additional issue. It is a nursing <br />34 <br />September 24, 1996 <br />