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Wagoner staff outline EMS expansion: plan to add ambulances, convert staff to full time and budget for ambulance barn
Summary
City and EMS leaders presented a plan to increase ambulance service capacity by adding shifts, converting part-time staff to six full-time positions, increasing billed ambulance-run revenue estimates by $250,000, and budgeting funds for land and initial costs for a new ambulance station (barn).
Council heard a detailed presentation on May 20 about changes proposed to the Wagoner EMS budget that would expand service capacity and add a new station.
Staff told the council they plan to increase ambulance-run revenue in the FY2026 draft by $250,000 and to move the third vehicle from a daytime-only configuration to a 24-hour truck. The packet and discussion described plans to staff additional ambulances: converting several current part-time employees to six additional full-time positions with benefits to support round-the-clock staffing on a third ambulance, and making a fourth ambulance available during weekday hours if demand requires. Staff said those full-time conversions are drawn from existing part-time personnel.
Capital and operating items for EMS in the packet include funds for additional equipment (oxygen tanks, backboards), computers and software for more trucks, and a down payment on a refurbished autoloader and a potential lease option for a sewer camera (discussed for the wastewater department). The draft budget also includes a line for land acquisition and initial costs toward a new ambulance station; staff explained the budgeted amount is intended to cover land and some initial construction costs, while the remaining build costs would require a loan (staff estimated a 10–15 year loan with annual payments in the rough range of $90,000–$150,000, depending on final construction costs and debt terms).
Council members asked about where new daytime trucks would be staged (a day truck is already parked across the tracks near the fire department for daytime readiness) and about operational details when trains block routes. Staff explained that deploying vehicles closer to historically high-call locations improves response times. The mayor and EMS staff also discussed billing and collections: staff said the city's billing contractor pursues extended payment plans and periodic collections; the draft budget assumes increases in billed runs but recognizes bad-debt write-offs will continue and that outreach to rural water customers and adjacent jurisdictions can improve subscription coverage.
No final vote was taken on the EMS capital or station loan at this meeting; these remain budget items pending final numbers, public hearing and any required procurement or debt authorization in a future proceeding.
