Commissioners Continue EMS Discussion

The Osage County Board of County Commissioners held their weekly meeting Tuesday due to the observation of Memorial Day. They opened bids for road and bridge items, grader blades, and state spec rock.

The Commissioners hosted discussion with Candy Thomas from the Osage Nation regarding the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU would be to utilize the Nation's new facility in Fairfax to better serve the Nutrition Programs Title III customers. The Commissioners were supportive of the MOU and should sign once it has been drafted.

Osage County Undersheriff Lou Ann Brown brought before the commissioners the continuing concern of emergency medical services and the lack of coverage across the county. At the beginning of the May Eagle Medical Transport left the Barnsdall and Avant area leaving a large gap in coverage. The Commissioners have discussed several courses of action but the most realistic option would be to get funding from public tax to cover a county wide ambulance service. Skiatook City Manager Dan Yancey said while the public does not like additional taxes it is a means to an end.

Due to the lack of EMS coverage in Osage County it is frequently taking anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for an ambulance to get to customers, and once on a run, EMS is often out of service for several hours. The Commissioners decided to continue the discussion at the meeting next Monday at 10.