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McAlester council approves $5 per‑meter emergency ambulance fee
Summary
The McAlester City Council approved a resolution to charge $5 per water meter to fund local ambulance services, citing about 7,200 meters and the need to maintain a three-unit ambulance response capacity. The vote carried unanimously.
The McAlester City Council voted to approve a resolution setting an emergency services fee of $5 per water meter to help fund local ambulance responses. Council members moved forward with the resolution after a discussion of program scope, collection scale and how the fee would work alongside insurance billing.
Council members described the fee as a modest household cost intended to reduce residents’ reluctance to call for emergency medical services. A presenter told the council, “This resolution is 70 at $5 per meter.” Council discussion noted the fee applies to primary household meters (not secondary meters such as those for irrigation or commercial sprinkler systems) and to commercial meters at businesses, and that the city will continue to bill insurance when appropriate.
Officials said the charge would be assessed to roughly 7,200 meters, and that money collected could be used over time to upgrade or replace ambulances. A presenter said the city generally keeps at least three ambulances in service with a spare; funds from the fee could help procure or refurbish units. The meeting also referenced typical ambulance bills, which a presenter estimated at about "$750 to $800."
Council members emphasized limits of the program: it is aimed at true emergency responses that require an ambulance transport or on‑scene emergency care, not routine or non‑emergency lift/assist calls. The city will first seek reimbursement from insurance when available; according to council remarks, co‑pays or charges above what insurance covers would remain the patient’s responsibility.
A motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded; roll‑call votes were recorded for Vice Mayor Beatty, Councilor Brooks, Stone and the Mayor, all voting yes. The council chair declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned; the planned executive session was tabled.
The resolution references section 38‑202 of the McAlester City Code and was identified in the meeting as resolution 70. The transcript did not specify the ordinance text beyond the fee amount, the exact implementation date, or whether there are exemptions for low‑income households; those details were not specified during this session.
