The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners have filed a civil case in district court seeking a declaratory judgment on the status of the Okmulgee Emergency Medical Service Trust.

Filed on Monday (CV-2023-00155) in Okmulgee County district court, Commissioners Erik Zoellner, Michael Wallace and David Walker, released a statement announcing the action was taken “in a commitment to ensure transparency and accountability.”

“The Okmulgee County Ambulance Authority Trust of 2020 has taken legal action to seek a declaratory judgment on the status of the [Okmulgee] Emergency Medical Service Trust, of 1974 (hereafter referred to as the 1974 Trust). After months of good-faith efforts by Okmulgee County to resolve this matter, a group of unelected individuals have used and continue to use county resources under the umbrella of the 1974 Trust.”

The Okmulgee County District Attorney’s office advised the Okmulgee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) that the Trust was no longer valid.

On June 1, 2020, the BOCC created a new trust, called the Okmulgee County Ambulance Authority Trust, which replaced the 1974 Trust. The resolution, #20-15, stated this was for the purpose of “management and operation of the ambulance service in Okmulgee County.”

“The group of unelected individuals refuses to adhere to the 2020 Trust,” the media release stated. “The continued operation of county- tagged property and resources highlights the urgency of our proactive measures to stop these unelected individuals unauthorized activity … We look forward to having this issue adjudicated and remain dedicated to providing the people of Okmulgee County full transparency and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources and improved EMS services.”

In speaking with Commissioner Zoellner, he stressed there would be no disruptions to the ambulance service for the county, as they await a ruling on the matter.

“In discussions with emergency officials, we have been assured this action will not disrupt or impact County Emergency services.”