Resolution 267-2021 RESOLUTION NO. 267 -2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS ESTABLISHING A POLICY AND SETTING RATES
FOR TRANSPORT OF ELIGIBLE VETERANS BY MONROE COUNTY
FIRE RESCUE FOR THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Veterans Affairs Department runs a Veterans Transportation
Program, which transports veterans to and from medical appointments at the VA Hospital in
Miami; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Transportation Program has been closed during the COVID-19
pandemic, but is set to resume; and
WHEREAS,the Miami VA Hospital screens all persons entering its facility for COVID,and will not
admit any person who tests positive or fails the health screening questionnaire; and
WHEREAS, the federal Veterans Affairs department, through its Beneficiary Travel program,
reimburses eligible veterans for costs incurred while travelling to and from VA health care
facilities, but not all veterans are eligible for the program; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Affairs Department wishes to arrange for transportation at no cost to
the veterans to travel back from the VA Hospital to the Florida Keys for any veteran who tested
positive or failed a health screening questionnaire and who has therefore been denied admission
to the VA Hospital,who would therefore not be able to ride the Veterans Transportation Program
bus, and who is not otherwise eligible for Beneficiary Travel benefits from federal Veterans Affairs
("Eligible Veterans"); and
WHEREAS, Monroe County Fire Rescue has indicated that it is able to provide transport for the
veterans; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to establish a policy whereby Monroe County Fire Rescue will provide
the transport of the veterans, at a rate listed below,which will be paid in full by the Monroe County
Veterans Affairs Department.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Monroe County Fire Rescue shall, upon request by Monroe County Veterans
Affairs Department, transport Eligible Veterans from the Miami VA Hospital, 1201 NW 16th St.,
Miami, FL 33125 ("Sending Location"), back to the Eligible Veteran's home or to another place
designated by the Eligible Veteran and approved by Monroe County Veterans Affairs Department
(e.g., the place where the Eligible Veteran left his or her vehicle in order to board the Veterans
Transportation Program bus). The trip will be a one-way trip from the Sending Location. Pickup
shall occur promptly upon notification by the Monroe County Veterans Affairs Department to
Monroe County Fire Rescue that the transport is required, but in any event the pickup shall occur
no later than three(3) hours from the notification.
Section 2. Monroe County Fire Rescue shall charge and receive a fee for the transport in
accordance with the rates for ground ambulance transports set forth in Resolution No. 294-2008
of the Board of Governors, Fire and Ambulance District I of Monroe County, Florida, based on a
one-way transport, but in any event no greater than twenty-five hundred dollars ($2500.00)
("Transport Fee"). Monroe County Veterans Affairs Department shall be responsible for payment
of the Transport Fee upon presentment of an invoice from Monroe County Fire Rescue with
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supporting documentation in a form acceptable to the Clerk. No additional fees will be charged
to any third party, including the Eligible Veteran.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of the Board held on the 181b day of August , 2021.
Mayor Michelle Coldiron Yes
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice Yes
Commissioner Craig Cates Yes
Commissioner Eddie Martinez Yes
Commissioner Mike Forster Absent
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ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KEVIN MAE1tK, CPA, CLERK OF COURT OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: (7""-.4 By:
As Deputy Clerk ////�����''''Michelle Coldiron, Mayor
ROE ATIO
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AS ATTORNEY
DM. 8/20/21
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