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Stilwell council tables decision after deep split over Adair County EMS finances
Summary
After reviewing financial statements showing a two-month net deficit, Stilwell council debated whether to raise its monthly EMS payment and voted to table action pending joint meetings with EMS leadership and county commissioners and clearer financial data.
Stilwell, Okla. — The City of Stilwell on Monday debated whether to increase its monthly payment to Adair County EMS after council members and staff reviewed financial reports that showed a two‑month net loss and raised questions about billing, reimbursements and management practices.
At a council meeting, members examined financial packets for July and August and discussed a reported two‑month net income of minus $159,518.64. Councillors and residents pressed EMS representatives and staff for clearer breakdowns of insurance reimbursements, transfers and payroll, saying they could not responsibly commit additional city funds without a full accounting.
"They lost $96,000 last month," a council member said during the meeting, summarizing concerns about recent monthly shortfalls. Other members said the town cannot sustain indefinite cash infusions if reimbursements and internal billing are not reconciled.
The council heard competing points: some members argued the city must increase its contribution so residents maintain local ambulance coverage; others said deeper management and billing issues must be addressed first. One council member described the situation as a chronic mismatch between reimbursements and expenses and urged a joint meeting with EMS leadership, the county commissioner and the mayor to identify a sustainable path forward.
Council members repeatedly requested a concrete recommendation from EMS leadership on what the city should pay monthly. "If we're going to have a consistent monthly payment of any kind, we're going to have to have some kind of guideline from Robert on what that payment needs to be," one council member said, referring to the EMS representative who provided the financials.
After extended discussion, the council voted to table the funding decision and schedule a special meeting to convene the key players and review updated financials before taking formal action. The motion to table was made by Lane and seconded by Barrett; the motion carried unanimously.
Next steps: council members asked that EMS provide more detailed, itemized financial statements (including gross receipts, reimbursements from insurance/Medicaid and a payroll detail) and that the mayor, the city attorney and affected commissioners attend a follow‑up meeting. No funding change was adopted at Monday’s meeting.
