Purcell’s City Council, in its regular March meeting Monday night at the Community Room of the Purcell Police Service Building, approved a recommendation from the hospital administration of a five percent increase for patient fees.

“Usually hospitals have an increase every year,” said PMH Operations/Finance Manager Renee Barber said.

“But PMH has not had an increase for many, many years.

“In working though the financial process, SSM suggested we do an increase of five percent. SSM said we are 50 percent below Norman and considerably below everyone else that would be our competitors even by raising it that slight amount,” she continued.

“And, we would still be lower. It will put us in a little better position when negotiating with insurance.

“We still offer discounts for self-pays and have payment plans. The increase will be very minimal,” Barber said.

That action came in the Purcell Public Works Authority portion of the meeting where the board approved a $25,000 per month financial support for the hospital for the months of April, May and June.

At that time the council will reassess the economic needs of the hospital.

The authority also approved paying PMH the residual of the one percent hospital sales tax after the bond payment has been made through the expiration of the tax Dec. 31, 2039.

PMH officials report they are working to add a permanent gastrointestinal doctor for more extensive out-patient procedures that would boost revenues.

The council discussed the status of the property at 1500 N. Green Avenue. The committee, which will be appointed by Mayor Graham Fishburn, has not been finalized, according to city manager Sam Demel.

Demel, supervisors of the water, electric and street departments, two city council members and a public at-large individual will comprise the committee, Demel reported.

Currently, Allen Eubanks and Mayor Fishburn would represent the council but Demel said possibly one of the two new council members would take the place of either Eubanks or Fishburn. The at-large person has not yet been officially appointed.

The city is currently searching for bids for a complete demolition of the old hospital facility.

Among options for the committee to consider are putting the property out for bid again, utilizing the property for city use or even a property swap with Landmark Church.

The board accepted the recommendation of the Parks and Recreations Advisory Board to set the 2024 Independence Day Celebration on Friday, June 28.

The authority also approved awarding of the rehabilitation of three existing water wells that are not producing the amount of water they once did. The wells, 2, 13 and 14 will be rehabbed by Hoffman Water Wells for up to $343,700.

Demel reports the wells are producing about 30 percent of what they did when they were new.

“It is cheaper to rehabilitate wells than to dig a new one,” Demel said. “A new one would cost in the range of $1.5 million.”

The company will send cameras down into the wells to see what can be done or if a new pump is needed.

There is a limited time window for completion of the project, set for June 30.

In his report, Demel said the Chickasaw Nation is interested in assisting with water needs of the city.

A survey was sent out to determine what percentage of the area is Native American so they can assist with that portion of the bill.

When the survey was done it was not made clear that you don’t have to have a roll number.

If anyone in your family is Native American, you qualify.

In Victor Lohn’s treasurer’s report, he said sales tax through January 2024 is up 6.38 percent over last year or $289,764; up 7.53 percent over budget or $338,274.

Use tax through January 2024 is up 34.20 percent over last year or $161,931; up 36.16 percent over budget or $168,760.