Election Date Set On Crittenden County Hospital Tax

Crittenden County voters will head to the polls Dec. 9 to decide whether or not to repeal a one-cent sales tax that would have funded operations of a hospital that has since closed.

However, that election date is contingent on a decision made by a circuit judge on a suit challenging the collection of the tax.

Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless said justices approved the election date during a meeting last week in Marion.

County officials have been working non-stop on issues surrounding the closing of Crittenden Regional Hospital since the hospital board filed for federal bankruptcy protection, Wheeless said. The hospital closed in early September, with hospital officials citing financial difficulties and other issues.

The hospital faces at least two lawsuits in circuit court, with one involving the collection of the tax.

On Aug. 28, State Sen. Keith Ingram, D-West Memphis, filed suit against the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration on the tax issue.

Ingram sought a temporary restraining order to halt collection of the tax.

A hearing was held Monday regarding the lawsuit, with a decision on the case expected by Friday, Wheeless said. The case will be decided by Circuit Judge Victor Hill of West Memphis.

An attempt to reach Ingram Monday afternoon at his West Memphis office was not successful.

SECOND SUIT
Another suit was filed earlier this month by attorney Denny Sumpter of West Memphis on behalf of his mother, Deloris Sumpter.

Sumpter sued Crittenden Hospital Association, CEO Gene Cashman, board president David Rains and CIGNA insurance.

In the suit, Sumpter alleges the hospital was negligent in not paying insurance premiums for its employees.

At least 125 former employees with the hospital have joined a potential class action lawsuit in the case, Sumpter said last week.

Sumpter was out of the office Monday afternoon and could not be reached for comment.