Report Urges Refining Pact for Paramedics

The City Council on Tuesday adopted a city manager’s report recommending several changes in the city’s contract with the next provider of paramedic services. The contract with Hartson Medical Services will end June 30; it cost the city $3.56 million last year.

The most significant change was a city requirement that the next contractor provide an attractive employee benefits package to reduce the turnover rate among paramedics. Details of the package will be left up to the contractor, but the city’s goal is to lower the turnover rate from 25% to the national average of 20%.

Council members also voted to require future contractors to file a quarterly report on the turnovers, along with the employees’ reasons for leaving. City officials will evaluate each termination.