Hempstead QC approves hospital board rules, listens to literacy and flood info
By Stephanie Harris
The Hempstead County Quorum Court approved an ordinance October 22nd to establish a five-member administrative board to oversee the new hospital in Hope. The ordinance sets staggered initial terms, with later appointments to five-year terms and limits on consecutive service. It outlines responsibilities for managing the hospital, handling bond proceeds, and ensuring compliance with bidding and procurement laws. The ordinance also addresses administration of revenue from the county’s sales and use tax, and references the bond issue of up to 13.5 million dollars for hospital improvements. Ed Darling said the Southwest Arkansas Development Council facilitated requests for proposals for an architect and construction manager. A scoring committee recommended moving forward with the selected firms.He described the companies’ previous work, “They had great cost-saving ideas, they had done several projects and brought them close to budget.” Sylvia Brown spoke about flood awareness and the need to move from discussion to action, saying, “We listen, we act, we connect, we organize, we motivate.” She emphasized working together on capital improvement plans to address flooding concerns. Bonnie Raff discussed the importance of children having actual books to read rather than electronic outlets. She encouraged residents to take books from the table to help form more awareness of literacy challenges and asked citizens to “please remember to vote.”