Claremore Daily Progress

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June 4, 2009

Ambulance ‘no heartburn this year’

Catoosa reviews annual contracts, equips police

By Joy Hampton

June 4, 2009 — CATOOSA – Lower fuel prices this year have helped stabilize increases in emergency medical transport.

As the fiscal year comes to an end June 30, governmental entities are renewing annual contracts and planning next year’s budget. Catoosa is no exception.

Monday, the Catoosa City Council renewed its annual contract for ambulance service, reviewed its agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police and purchased several items of police equipment.

Last year, Pafford EMS of Oklahoma, Inc. shocked Catoosa with a request for an increase of more than 57 percent from 2007’s contracted subsidy of $38,100. In the new contract, Pafford asked for a $60,000 subsidy from the city.

In addition to a subsidy paid by the city, Pafford bills individuals for transport at set rates. Last year, Pafford representative Charles Wadsworth told council members insurance companies pay set fees and ambulance services cannot add surcharges to those costs.

He said rising fuel costs were the driving force behind the requested subsidy hike.

The Council balked at the amount of the increase, and Wadsworth negotiated a compromise contribution from the city of $49,050 for last year’s payment.

This year’s EMS contract held no price hike surprises. The contract represented a five percent increase over last year, raising the city’s contribution to $51,450.

“There’s no heartburn this year,” said Catoosa Mayor Rita Lamkin of the modest increase.

The bill will be paid per month at the rate of $4,287 and change.

Pafford also supplies ambulance service to Claremore and Rogers County but has a high enough call volume in those areas that no subsidy is needed.

The Catoosa Council also discussed article changes for adoption in its agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police. Many of those changes are incentives to attract and retain officers and include supplying uniforms and equipment, allowing an officer to retire with a primary weapon, monetary rewards for longevity, and a 6 percent across the board raise.

Discussion about longevity bonuses and how those will be awarded resulted in the matter being tabled.

Police also requested equipment which was approved for purchase by the Council. Items approved were:

•two radar units to replace old equipment to be purchased from low bidder Visual Force of Catoosa for a total cost of $3,328 including $3,198 for the radar and $130 for installation; also bidding were Decatur Electronics of Decatur, Ill. for $3300 and $130 installation, and Feet Distributors Express of Tulsa $3652 and $150 installation

•light bar also purchased from Visual Force for $1,635 including installation; also bidding were Fleet $1,620 and Sharp Communication, Inc. $1,499 or $1,299 not including shipping or installation

•ghost lights to increase safety for officers making night stops from Visual Force, $780 each and $325 for installation for five sets for a total of $1,105; also bidding Galls Public Safety of Lexington, Ky. at $899 each and $29.99 shipping, does not include installation

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