The Hennessey 522 Ambulance District Board continued laying the foundation for the community’s new ambulance district during its second meeting on Wednesday, July 29, taking several important steps toward becoming fully operational.
The district was approved by Hennessey voters in June after months of discussion about creating a dedicated funding source to help ensure long-term ambulance service for the community. The new 3-mill property tax district will begin collecting revenue in January 2027, providing a stable source of funding to help support local emergency medical services.
With all five board members present, the board focused less on ambulance operations and more on establishing the legal and financial framework needed before the district can begin managing the tax revenue approved by voters earlier this year.
Before the meeting began, members and guests enjoyed pizza provided by the Hennessey Round-Up Club.
One of the board’s first actions was approving the hiring of attorney Jana Knott of Bass Law in El Reno to serve as the district’s legal counsel. Knott will assist the board in drafting bylaws, preparing contracts, ensuring compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, and helping establish the district as a legal entity.
Board member Dr. David Matousek told the board he contacted several law firms before Knott was recommended for this type of work.
Board member Levi Copeland said several key items cannot move forward until those legal steps are completed. The district must first establish its official legal name, obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), designate a physical address, and secure liability bonding before it can open a bank account or begin conducting financial business.
A major challenge facing the board is that it will not begin receiving tax revenue until January 2027, yet it will incur startup expenses before then, including attorney fees and other organizational costs.
The board also began discussing a formal agreement with the Town of Hennessey that will govern how 522 ambulance tax revenue is distributed. Because the town currently operates under one-year contracts, board members agreed the district’s agreement should follow the same annual timeline.
Much of the evening’s discussion centered on the district’s future ambulance service contract. Mercy Regional EMS is currently providing ambulance service under a temporary six-month agreement with the Town of Hennessey while the new district becomes established. Once that agreement expires, board members believe the district will likely be required to seek competitive bids for future ambulance service.
Rather than simply accepting bids based on cost alone, the board plans to develop detailed service specifications that every bidder must meet. Those requirements could include Advanced Life Support (ALS) service, 24-hour emergency coverage, and a backup ambulance capable of responding whenever the primary unit is out of the district transporting a patient.
Board members also discussed retaining a portion of future tax revenue during the district’s first year to cover startup expenses, including legal fees, accounting services, insurance, bonding, and other administrative costs, before distributing the remaining funds to the ambulance provider.
The board also reviewed how 911 calls are routed, particularly near county lines where cellular calls can occasionally be directed to the wrong dispatch center before being transferred. Members stressed the importance of maintaining mutual aid agreements with neighboring ambulance services while ensuring Hennessey’s ambulance remains available to serve local residents whenever possible.
Members reaffirmed their previous decision to hire the accounting firm of Storm & Hauser to prepare the district’s first budget, which is expected to be completed by mid-August. The board must submit its proposed budget by Sept. 1.
Action on developing a long-term ambulance service contract was tabled until Knott has an opportunity to review the district’s legal requirements and advise the board on the proper contracting process.
The board expects to hold another meeting later this month after consulting with legal counsel. At that time, work on the district’s bylaws, contracts, and organizational structure will continue.
CUT LINE:
LtoR Levi Copeland, Secretary, Shelley Muzny, Board Member, Pearla Blanco, Vice Chairman, Ray Shimanek, Chairman, Dr. David Matousek, Treasurer
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