NorthStar EMS will retain its familiar name, local leadership and current service commitments following an ownership change approved Tuesday night by the Searcy City Council.
The council approved a resolution acknowledging the sale of NorthStar EMS to Pafford Medical Services during its September 8 meeting.
NorthStar owner Donald Shull told council members he plans to retire and selected Pafford to take over the company.
Jamie Pafford-Gresham, CEO of Pafford Medical Services, assured council members that the acquisition is not expected to disrupt NorthStar’s operations in Searcy and White County.
“One of the promises that I have made to the NorthStar family is that I’m not changing NorthStar,” Pafford-Gresham said.
The service is expected to operate as “NorthStar powered by Pafford.”
Current Leadership And Employees Expected To Remain
Pafford-Gresham said current NorthStar leaders Tonia Hale and Jacob will remain in leadership roles.
She also said Pafford intends to retain NorthStar’s existing employees, staffing levels and ambulance units.
Council members specifically asked whether NorthStar’s rates, membership costs, contracts and community services would change. Pafford-Gresham said the existing obligations will remain in place.
She also committed to continuing NorthStar’s longstanding practice of providing ambulance coverage at community gatherings, ballgames, rodeos, horse shows, fireworks displays and other public events.
“There is no intent to reduce staff,” Pafford-Gresham told the council.
Pafford-Gresham described NorthStar as a strong ambulance service with respected leadership and experienced employees. She said the acquisition could eventually create opportunities to expand dispatch, communications and billing operations in Searcy.
Pafford Medical Services describes itself as an Arkansas-founded emergency medical provider with more than 59 years of service. Its website lists operations across six states.
The ownership-change resolution received approval from the council.
Searcy Reports Strong Financial Month
City officials also presented a positive financial report for August.
Searcy recorded approximately $3.2 million in base revenue during the month, up from $2.8 million during the previous reporting period.
Total revenue exceeded $4 million after including half-cent bond collections and grant funding.
City departments recorded approximately $2.2 million in operational expenses during August. Collectively, departments are nearly 1% below their expense budgets for the year, representing approximately $350,000 in savings.
The city’s general and street funds reported a net cash increase of approximately $758,000 for the month.
Officials also reported:
City reserves remain at the 90-day goal.
Sales tax collections are at 103.4% compared with the same period last year.
The city has approximately seven months of cash available across all accounts.
Emergency reserves total approximately $6.67 million.
New Police Station And Park Projects Move Forward
The council authorized Mayor Mat Faulkner to negotiate a construction-management contract with Hart Construction for the proposed new Searcy Police Department facility.
Council members also approved advertising for construction bids for Fern Cowen Rodgers Park.
The city was authorized to hire a manager for The RAMP during the fourth quarter of 2026.
An $11,000 change order was approved for additional gravel required during Phase 2 of the Fuller Lane project.
The council also approved an agreement with Rogue Trails connected to an Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism trail grant.
Public Hearings Set For October
Two public hearings were scheduled for October 13, 2026, at 5 PM.
The first will allow public comment on a proposal to declare the property at 616 East Market Avenue a nuisance property.
The second concerns a private-club permit application submitted by SPAN Searcy Brewery LLC. Council discussion indicated the permit is connected to the new dual-brand Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton hotel property.
Additional Council Actions
The council also approved:
Transferring Smyrna Church to the White County Historical Society.
Applying for Arkansas Economic Development Commission Community Development Block Grant funding.
Designating the White River Planning and Development District to administer the CDBG funding.
Certifying grass-cutting and nuisance-abatement liens to the White County Tax Collector.
Disposing of fully utilized WatchGuard camera equipment from the Police Department.
Disposing of two fully utilized Maintenance Department vehicles.
Updating the city’s plumbing regulations.
Prohibiting motorized vehicles on city multi-use trails.
A 2026 city budget-adjustment ordinance.
The new multi-use trail ordinance contains an emergency clause and takes effect following its passage.
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