The Hope Kiwanis Club heard a program Tuesday (5-26) on the proposed sales tax to benefit the Hope hospital (Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Cener) for facility maintenance and infrastructure. The three/quarters of a cent sales tax will “sunset” after ten years. The sales tax is limited to only facility maintenance and infrastructure. Two items that need attention badly are the hospital roof and the HVAC units, this work would be covered under the tax receipts.
Hospital Administrator Shelby Brown and Anna Powell of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation made the case for the tax. Powell noted without a hospital, industrial recruitment would be almost impossible and existing industries could move away due to liability issues of not having a hospital in the community.
Early voting will begin a week from the May 9th election. Judging from their reaction and questions, most of the Kiwanis members appeared in favor of the proposed tax.
