The proposed Hennessey 522 Ambulance District still has several legal steps to complete before it can be formally established, according to attorneys working with the district.
The issue was discussed during the Kingfisher County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, September 8, when Jana Knott and Brooke Boutwell of Bass Law explained that the proposed district follows the boundaries of the Hennessey School District.
Those boundaries extend into Kingfisher, Garfield and Major counties, meaning each county must complete the required process for the portion of the proposed ambulance district within its jurisdiction.
Kingfisher County Process Complete
Kingfisher County has completed its portion of the process. However, issues remain in both Garfield and Major counties.
Garfield County previously passed a resolution and held an election concerning its portion of the district. According to Bass Law, however, the required public notice was not properly published. Because of that issue, attorneys said the election is void and the process will need to be repeated.
Major County Still Has Steps to Take
Major County has not yet passed a resolution or held an election for its portion of the proposed district.
Although the Major County portion reportedly consists of only about 320 acres and approximately two residences, it remains part of the proposed ambulance district because the district was established using Hennessey School District boundaries.
That small portion creates another challenge. Each participating county must also have representation on the ambulance district board, meaning a qualified trustee will need to be identified from the Major County portion.
Kingfisher County Commissioner Mike Sparks agreed to look into the residents living within that area and explore possible trustee candidates.
What Happens Next?
Bass Law will assist with correcting the process in Garfield County and completing the necessary steps in Major County.
Officials also discussed the possibility of adding contiguous school districts in the future, which could expand both the number of voters within the ambulance district and the pool of residents eligible to serve as trustees.
For now, Bass Law has advised the proposed Hennessey 522 Ambulance District board to suspend its meetings while the legal issues are addressed. Kingfisher County Commissioners also tabled the matter pending completion of the remaining requirements.
The district was approved by Hennessey-area voters earlier this year as a way to establish a dedicated funding source for local emergency medical services. Work had already begun on the district’s organizational and financial framework before the multi-county issues were identified.
Pictured: Jana Knott, Bass Law Vice President & COO
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