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Wichita signs new false‑alarm management contract after debate over revenue split
Summary
The council approved a one‑year contract (with renewal options) with PMAM Corporation to manage alarm registrations and false‑alarm billing, approving a 76% city / 24% vendor revenue split after staff argued improved service and CAD integration justified the terms.
Wichita — The City Council on Sept. 16 approved a new false‑alarm registration and management services contract with PMAM Corporation after an extended discussion over revenue sharing and performance.
Captain Jason Cooley of the Wichita Police Department told council the city has relied on a contracted vendor since 2009 to manage false‑alarm notifications and billing. As of December 2024 the city had 105,211 registered alarm permits and recorded 6,159 false alarms in 2024; since 1999 the city has recorded nearly 250,000 false alarms, Cooley said.
The procurement screening committee unanimously recommended PMAM. Under the proposed agreement the city would retain 76% of false‑alarm revenue and PMAM would retain 24%. Some councilmembers argued for a larger city share; staff replied that the vendor percentage reflects the restricted market for this specialized service and the need to secure a firm that would perform timely notifications, integrate with the city’s CAD systems at no cost to the city and improve collections and customer service.
Finance staff said the city had seen revenue variability in recent years and that a primary goal of the new procurement was to stabilize service delivery and improve timeliness of notices and data reporting. Council members emphasized accountability and asked staff to ensure the contract contains enforceable service‑level commitments and reporting. The council approved the agreement unanimously and directed staff to finalize terms that protect the city from interface and indemnification exposure.
What happens next: Staff will finalize and execute the agreement with PMAM, ensure CAD integrations occur at vendor expense as negotiated, and provide quarterly performance and revenue reports to the council.
