Quorum Court Approves Status Change of Hospital & Vote on Millage Continuation
July 17th, 2012 by Joe BurgessMonday night, the Quorum Court approved an ordinance transfering operations of the hospital to Drew Memorial Hospital, Inc. The ordinance also approved a lease of the facilities to the board, which is made up of the current DMH board of directors. Also October 9 was set as a special election day for two DMH millage questions.
The IRS has recently approved the 501C3 status for the DMH group, which should take effect on October 1. This change will provide $1,000,000 in benefits to the hospital, and change the hospital’s tax status from “governmental” to “non-profit”.
The Quorum Court also approved a special election to be held on October 9, to allow voters to decide on two millage questions, pertaining to the hospital.
First will be a bond issue re-financing the balance that’s currently owed on the existing hospital bonds up to $1,250,000, likely getting a much lower finance rate,
Second will be a bond issue for capital improvement (construction and equipment) at the hospital, such as the nes surgery center, up to a maximum of $4.300 000.
It was clearly explained that this will not be a millage increase, but a continuation of the current rate.
County Attorney Cliff Gibson led the explanation to the Quorum Court, assisted by represented by representatives of Stephens, Inc, and Lindsey, Wright, & Jennings.
Videos of the full event are posted, including the reading of the entire ordinances.
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May I ask why this was not set for the September School board election? Or the November General election? It cost thousands of dollars to hold a millage or any kind of election. This DMH millage is a waste of tax payers money. We should no just to show the Liberals running our county that we are fed up with the constant special elections.
The conservatives running for county office in November have swore they will change this Liberal money gusseling practice!
True, we need a good hospital. But, why waste taxpayers money with a special millage election? What is the big hurry? If its urgent, then move it to the September election. Otherwise, add it to November.
Plus, any “continued” millage is still an increase. Our millage and taxes need to be lowered, not continued or raised! Our forefathers tossed tea in Boston Harbor for a lot less!
The reason they are holding a special election in Oct. is the same reason our one cent sales tax extention (City of Monticello) was held in July. This is designed to only get the 100 or so people out to vote that are for the tax extension (and most likely to profit from it), and they hope the general population will miss the election. I would like the Arkansas Legistlature to pass a law that no taxes my be extended or raised except for vote held during the general election in November. If this happened I can assure you that our sales tax would be lower and our millage rates would be scrutinized.
I totally agree with the above statement. Maybe they could use some of the water fund to finance the hospital.
Well I would suggest if the above posters know so much, why don’t you run for office and see if you can do better. The ones who won’t “put their money where their mouth is” are usually the ones doing the most complaining. And i would also dare to say that they would also complain about SOMETHING even if the issue was put in with all the other issues in the November election. And as far as lowering our millage, we have one of the lowest millages in the STATE!! They are running the county with the same millage we had 30 years ago. And a continuation of a tax is not an increase….oh, but wait…that’s right….you gotta complain about something.
And one more thing…the hospital will be paying for the special election on October 9.
perhaps these folks who want medical treatment could wear tags so we won’t treat them the next time they become ill considering their opposition to taxes…
This country united for a reason and if you all don’t want to be part of the union, there are other countries with lower taxes but, of course, there are no hospitals, or roads or schools, or garbage collection etc.
Well maybe someone can explain how the hospital that was built and paid for by the taxpayers has been turned over and leased to the “board” as a non-profit. The board members will soon be paid handsomely for their “services” mark my words while our millage still supports the hospital. The county lawyer is the also the hospital lawyer, the acct. is on the board, and the other acct. is running for Drew County Treasurer, and will move the office out of the Court House to a ceratin the acct. office, and the cost of the election will be paid for by the taxpayers who are paying for all the hospital expansion. As long as Drew Memorial is subsidized by the taxpayers, we have a right to comment on wasting money for a special election when there is a general election a month later.
If this little change of status does not work out, the taxpapers will have to pick up the pieces, so we all need to pay attention.
This attitude of just shut-up and send your money is getting old.
The county passed a conflict of interest policy preventing board members from being compensated or profiting from the hospital before allowing the change to private non-profit status.
if the board members misbehaveand a resident is aware ofaproblem then he or she has a responsibility to inform the court so the quorum court can take steps to reverse the action.
The surgeries performed by doctors increased the profit at the hospital and federal funds as a result of the poverty stats in Drew County likely paid for the expansion.
Has anyone publicly asked the court why two elections were necessary?
as long as your are in a majority democratic party state, you can forget about any kind of tax going down or being stopped. must agree with conservative voter! oh! as an aside, you notice my name, not a cute phrase is used to reply! if ya feel strongly about something let em know who ya be! a continuation of any tax is STILL A TAX!
Need a Legistiative ch;ange, you are right on target. Wasn’t this groupe of investors going to save our payed for hospital and bring it up to a great medical center without tax-payers money? This “same old roadgame” has been used and used in Drew County politics forever. When will voters learn. Whats your odds on another tax increase is a year or so? I guess thats why they call themselves investors.
I think the City and the County would both like tax increases, but at 10%, it is not practical. I think the County will do what the City does – raise “fees” and then use the money for something else which makes this a “tax” which is illegal. After the library is built and paid for, there will be an extension of the library tax. This extension will be poorly advertised and will occur when voters least expect it – probably in July or August. Everyone who reads this please write your State Legistlator and ask for them to pass a state law that no taxes can be put to the ballot as a special election, but must be passed in a general election, and to put a cap on sales levyed by a city and county. The poorest counties pay the highest sales taxes in the State of Arkansas. This puts all of us who live in these counties (including Drew) at an unfair disadvantage, and it is certainly not helping our job growth.
I will show up in October and vote against the millage increase on principle alone. I am tired of being manipulated. While the State of Arkansas is becoming more open about spending, Drew Countians are still the victims of cloak and dagger Machivellian politics.
I misspoke, I will not vote for the millage extension due to the nature of the special election. Politician’s always warn: “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Well folks, we are going to have to do this,if we really want the culture and nature of Drew County politics to change.