City sets Dec. 2 hearing on proposed ambulance operator; staff says applicant meets licensing criteria

The Enid City Commission voted unanimously to set a public hearing for Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. on an application from Centurion Health Systems, DBA Mercy Regional of Oklahoma, to operate ambulance services in Enid.

City staff described a five-factor investigation required under local ordinance and told commissioners the applicant met each factor. "Staff believes that the investigation has revealed that his company meets all the factors to be considered for a license," a staff member said during the meeting.

Staff described a background investigation that turned up "nothing notable" concerning applicant Duke Dixon, according to Chief Skaggs, and said references and relationships with other communities served by Mercy Regional were positive. Erin (city staff) told the commission the applicant can maintain required equipment and insurance per the ordinance. Staff also reported it could not obtain public complaint records from the EMS division because those records are not publicly available.

Duke Dixon said his operation would acquire ambulances from current operator Jimmy Johnson and that he has new units on order to be phased in January and February. Dixon said he would staff vehicles according to call volume and that he expects to add employees as needed. "We'll be acquiring Jimmy's ambulances," Dixon said; "we already have new ones ordered, and there will be new ones phased in probably January, February."

Setting the hearing begins the next step in the licensing process: staff will post notice and provide at least 10 days' public notice before the Dec. 2 hearing. The motion to set the hearing passed 7-0.