A special election will be held on Oct. 14 on a new half-cent sales tax to help fund the county's hospital system.
The Mississippi County Quorum Court passed a resolution Tuesday night in support of holding the election; though it was noted by Justice Michael White, who officiated the meeting, that the move does not count as an endorsement of the tax itself by the Court.
"They're not asking us to get out and bandwagon for the tax; we're not endorsing it one way or another," he said. "They're just asking for the privilege of holding a special election. Health care in Mississippi County is of the utmost importance to all of us, and that comes from the hospital system. They're in trouble, they're holding their own, but that's all. With something so important, I think it's important to let the people speak for themselves, and that's what they're asking for."
An ordinance was also passed which would enact the tax, should it be passed in the election. If approved, the tax would begin on Jan. 1, 2015, and sunset after five years, which based on estimations would net the hospital system between $12 and $15 million.
Hospital Board President John Logan and CEO Ralph Beaty were in attendance, as well as a number of citizens in support of the tax. Logan said the funds would be used to make renovations on both the Blytheville and Osceola facilities, as well as for physician recruitment, with the aim of getting the system in good shape to be sold or leased.
An ordinance was also passed to appropriate $320,000 out of county general for work on the landfill's leachate system, as well as a loan of $50,000 to the landfill fund to help cover maintenance expenditures which recently left the department in the red.
sharris@blythevillecourier.com