Quick take
- The new Hospital Tax Board will oversee the half-cent city sales tax El Dorado voters approved March 3 to support Baptist Medical Health Center El Dorado.
- There are five seats: one for each of the city’s four wards and one at large.
- Applicants must live inside El Dorado city limits and be registered voters in Union County.
- Applications are due in City Clerk Heather McVay’s office at City Hall, 204 N. West Ave., by 5 p.m. Mon., Nov. 16. Call 870-881-4877 or email [email protected] for an application.
- As of Friday, six people had applied, McVay told the El Dorado News-Times.
El Dorado residents have about two weeks left to apply for a seat on the city’s new Hospital Tax Board. Applications are due in City Clerk Heather McVay’s office by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, the El Dorado News-Times reported.
The advisory board will oversee money from the half-cent city sales tax that supports Baptist Medical Health Center El Dorado, the former South Arkansas Regional Hospital. Voters approved the tax, known as the Access for Life initiative, in a special election March 3. It took effect July 1 and is expected to bring in at least $3 million a year for upkeep, improvements, expansions and equipment at the hospital, the News-Times reported.
Who can apply
There are five seats: one for each of the city’s four wards and one at large. Board members must live inside El Dorado city limits and be registered voters in Union County. One application was already turned down because the applicant does not meet the residency requirement, McVay told the paper.
As of Friday, six people had applied, McVay told the News-Times. One each came from Wards 1, 3 and 4, and three came from Ward 2. She said six to 10 other people have asked for applications but have not turned them in yet.
Mayor Paul Choate will assign the first members to staggered terms of one to five years, with City Council confirmation. After that, terms will be five years.
How to apply
Call the city clerk’s office at 870-881-4877 or email [email protected] for an application, according to South Arkansas Now. The office is on the first floor of City Hall, 204 N. West Ave.
The city is also taking applications for the El Dorado Planning and Zoning Commission and the El Dorado Water Advisory Board, the News-Times reported.