Court Opinion

ID: 9773571
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:50:07.507776+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:55.184566
License: Public Domain

BARDGETT, Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I concur in the result reached in this case because I agree that ambulances operated by a municipality are, in the main, subject to the many provisions of the Missouri ambulance licensing law. I do not agree that a municipality which is otherwise authorized by law to operate a municipal ambulance service is subject to the convenience and necessity requirements of the act. Municipalities that operate power plants are not subject to a determination of convenience and necessity by the Public Service Commission or anyone else. And this is so even though the municipally-operated plant competes with a privately-owned utility.
In my opinion, the decision of the governing body of a municipality, which is legally authorized to operate an ambulance service, is final on that point. I agree that the regulatory provisions of the act with respect to equipment, inspection, etc., apply to municipalities because the state has a legitimate interest in the safety of the people transported in the equipment.
I do not believe the legislature intended to deprive the citizens of a municipality of not-for-profit ambulance service where those citizens, through their elected representatives, desire to subsidize the service with their local taxes, in order that a private ambulance service can make a profit. Furthermore, if a franchise from the city is necessary by reason of a city ordinance, then it is apparent that the city could prevent another from operating an ambulance service in the city and operate one of its own. I can think of no other instance where a municipality that has the statutory authority to do an act is nevertheless subject to a convenience and necessity decision by someone else and I don’t believe it was intended in the instant case.
I concur in the result because, as indicated, I agree that the municipality is subject to other provisions of the law.