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By Steve Good
Representatives of financially troubled Hot Spring County Medical Center approached the combined committee meeting of the HSC Quorum Court on Tuesday night with a proposal to call a special election to approve a one-half cent county-wide sales tax to be collected for five years that would benefit the hospital.
Malvern physician Dr. Shawn Purifoy, HSCMC Board of Directors member Dr. Ab Tilley and HSCMC interim chief executive officer Sheila Williams came to the meeting asking for a spot on the July agenda. Purifoy said the hospital would pay the costs for a special election to be held Sept. 9, one week before the annual school elections, which are set for Sept. 16. The tax proposal would be the only item on the ballot. “We really don’t have any other option,” Purifoy told committee members in attendance. Williams, who is the hospital’s chief financial officer in addition to her new duties as interim CEO, said the hospital is operating this fiscal year at a “break-even” pace. She noted that the hospital cut from its budget about $1 million in each of its previous two fiscal years. “We’ve depleted our cash reserves the last several years,” she said, noting the reserves were so low now that a major unexpected expense could force the facility to shut down. Purifoy said any potential closing of the hospital would affect Hot Spring County three ways. He said closing the hospital, which he said was the largest employer in the county, would impact over 400 employees. He said closing the hospital would impact the over-all health of the county, because anyone needing emergency room treatment would have to travel a longer time and distance to reach a hospital. He also said closing the hospital would impact economic development and growth. “Any big industry will not look at (locating in) Malvern if the hospital closes,” Purifoy said. Responding to a question from District 1 Justice of the Peace Pete Willis, Williams said the half-cent tax would raise approximately $7 million over the five years it would be collected if approved by HSC voters. Purifoy said 19 other hospitals in Arkansas currently have some form of tax assistance. The court agreed to consider HSCMC’s proposal to call a special election at its July meeting, which is set for 6 p.m. July 8 at the HSC Courthouse.
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