Wagoner council ends probation for multiple EMS employees, sets pay rates

The Wagoner City Council on Jan. 5 approved ending probation for six emergency medical services employees and confirmed their pay rates, actions city officials said are intended to stabilize staffing.

City staff recommended ending the probationary status for Jeff Patterson, who was described as the assistant director, and keeping his salary at $65,000 effective Jan. 1. City staff also recommended removing probation for Chance French, Annie/Anne Frost, Christina (identified in the record as Christina Hoss), Cassie Palmer and Mackenzie (spelled in the record as Mackenzie) Allen and set hourly rates effective Jan. 1: $14.70 for Chance French, Annie Frost and Cassie Palmer; $17.53 for Christina Hoss as an advanced EMT and supervisor; and $14.27 for Mackenzie Allen.

A staff presenter summarized the recommendation for Patterson, saying he "is doing a very good job for us" and recommended removal from probation and continuation of his salary. For each subsequent employee the council heard brief descriptions of role and tenure before votes were called. Each probation‑ending motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll call; the transcript recorded the roll call responses as unanimous 'yes' votes for each individual item among council members present.

Council members did not discuss amendments or conditions attached to the approvals; the actions in the record were personnel approvals and wage rates only. The measures were presented and decided in separate votes for each employee per council procedure.

The council took no further public action on EMS staffing at the meeting. The personnel actions take effect Jan. 1 as recorded in the meeting materials.