An 18 percent increase in medical insurance across the board for City of Purcell employees has city leaders searching for areas to cut expenses.

That’s the word from interim city manager Bobby Elmore who made the report Monday night at the regular monthly meeting of the council at the Purcell Police Service Building.

The insurance increase amounts to about $200,000 or about $150 per employee.

The council, which includes newly elected city councilman Bobby Bruehl, was informed the cleanup of the old PMH site will take about a week longer than anticipated due to the main fire compression line.

Bruehl was sworn in as was Jay Tate for another term ending in April 2028.

Also at the meeting, the 2024 Purcell Police Department Officer of the Year was honored. Assistant Chief of Police James Bolling presented Joshua Miller with a plaque for his outstanding service. (See story and photo page 2A)

The council was told a landscaper has been consulted for the downtown flower beds and something will be done by the end of May.

In the Purcell Public Works Authority portion of the meeting Assistant PWA Director Trey Phillips reported all of the city’s water wells are up and running. The city is also looking at replacing some streets and do overlays, Phillips said.

“We’re looking for the best plan of action,” he said.