Hempstead County voters delivered a decisive victory Tuesday for the hospital sales tax, approving the measure 1173 for and 255 against (78 to 22 percent), a result that local leaders say secures the future of healthcare in the county while opening the door to long-needed investments in facilities and equipment at Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center.

The tax, which SWARK.Today has reported on extensively in recent months, was presented to voters as a means of providing a stable local funding source for the county-owned hospital. Supporters argued throughout the campaign that the measure was essential to maintaining healthcare services close to home and ensuring that the hospital could continue serving future generations.

In the aftermath of the election, community leaders expressed gratitude, relief, and optimism about what comes next.

Mayor Still: "A Vital Part of Our Economic Growth"

Hope Mayor Don Still said the results reflected the community's recognition of the importance of the hospital not only as a healthcare provider but also as an economic engine for the region. "It was exciting to see the overall support from the community," Still said. "The hospital is a vital part of our economic and growth for our city."

Still praised the relationships that developed during the campaign and the efforts made to inform voters about the proposal. "I'm proud to be in partnership with Jamie [Pafford-Gresham] and Ben [Gresham], also proud of the hospital and staff," he said. "We had a really good team working to get the information out about the hospital tax."

While celebrating the outcome, Still emphasized that the job is not finished. "There's more work to be done," he said. "Once again, a big thank you to Hempstead County. We appreciate the support and your trust in making Hope and Southwest Arkansas a better place to live."

Chancellor Tompkins: "I Took a Deep Breath of Gratitude"

UAHT Chancellor Ricky Tompkins said he entered election night expecting good news but understood that voters wanted answers before making their decision. "I was optimistic about a positive vote to support the hospital facility," Tompkins said. "The hospital has played a key role in the community for many years and has impacted the lives of so many in Hempstead County."

Throughout the campaign, he said, residents approached the issue thoughtfully. "I was part of multiple conversations, and people were asking great questions and wanting to be informed," he said. "That told me people really cared and were invested."

When the results became known Tuesday night, Tompkins said his reaction was immediate. "When I got the results last night, I took a deep breath of gratitude."

Looking ahead, he said the relationship between the hospital and the college remains important for both institutions. "We will continue working with the hospital on shaping a positive future serving the community," Tompkins said. "Many of our students use the hospital as part of their education experience and we want to continue to be a great partner with the hospital."

Jamie Pafford-Gresham: "A Vote for the Future of Hope and Hempstead County"

Jamie Pafford-Gresham, CEO of Pafford Medical Systems, said there was genuine concern leading up to the election despite the organization's efforts to educate voters.

"Honestly, we were concerned," she said. "I knew this wasn't just a vote for the hospital. It was a vote for the future of Hope and Hempstead County."

She acknowledged that asking voters to approve any new tax presents challenges. "The reality is that nobody likes the idea of a new tax, and often the word 'tax' alone can create an automatic negative reaction."

Pafford-Gresham said supporters understood they had to explain both the hospital's financial challenges and the consequences of failing to act. "I knew we had a tremendous amount of educating to do so people could understand the challenges the hospital was facing and why this proposal was being considered," she said. "At the same time, I also knew that doing nothing was not an option. We had to find a way to change the trajectory of the facility and protect an asset that belongs to the people of Hope and Hempstead County."

Although hopeful, she admitted the uncertainty remained until the final votes were counted. "I was hopeful, but I was also nervous. I knew how important this vote was to the future of healthcare in our community, and I knew what was at stake if it did not pass."

She said conversations with residents provided encouragement in the final days of the campaign. "What gave me the most optimism was hearing from residents who shared their personal experiences with the hospital," she said. "People began talking about the care they had received or their family members who had been treated there, and the importance of having healthcare available close to home. Those stories reminded everyone that this hospital is more than a building, it is a vital part of our community."

When the results arrived, Pafford-Gresham said the emotion of the moment was overwhelming. "I let out a huge sigh of relief and yes, there were a few tears," she said. "For me, it was an answered prayer."

Reflecting on the effort since mid-2024 to stabilize the hospital, she added, "Over the past two years, so many people have poured their hearts, energy, and countless hours into keeping this hospital moving forward. We explored every avenue we could find for outside assistance, but many of those efforts simply did not materialize."

She viewed Tuesday's vote as a statement about the community itself. "What happened in this election was the community choosing to invest in itself," she said. "The people of Hope and Hempstead County recognized the importance of preserving local healthcare and made a statement about the future they want for this community."

Looking ahead, she said the focus now shifts from campaigning to implementation. "Now the real work continues," Pafford-Gresham said. "This vote provides us with the opportunity to make critical facility improvements, invest in equipment, and strengthen the hospital for future generations. We remain committed to being good stewards of these resources and earning the trust the community has placed in us."

She concluded with a message of thanks. "Most of all, I am grateful," she said. "Grateful for the support, grateful for the faith people showed in the future of this hospital, and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this community that my family and I love so much."

Shelby Brown: "Absolutely Thrilled With the Outcome"

Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center Director Shelby Brown described Wednesday as a day of celebration and relief inside the hospital.

"I'm really absolutely thrilled with the outcome, and very humbled [by] the large margin to support the voters and citizens of Hempstead County, and that they believe in this hospital and believe in the care that we give and what we provide to our community," Brown said.

Asked whether she expected such a decisive victory, Brown said her focus had remained on making sure voters had the information they needed. "I don't know that I ever really gave that a lot of thought," she said. "I was just making sure that people had the information they needed to make an informed decision."

Brown said discussions are already beginning regarding the next steps, including how funding for needed improvements and equipment might be structured, but she emphasized that those decisions will largely rest with county officials, since the county will control the funding as it comes in.

"I think that everybody just really was so happy today that we have crossed the hurdle, and we were successful in making sure that we kept health care available close to home," Brown said. "But now the work does begin, probably with the county leadership to decide how they want the next step to go."

She added, "Hopefully, there is a way that we can maybe get some of the needed money quickly for the building and needed equipment."

For Brown, one of the most encouraging developments was seeing the mood among hospital employees after the election.

"I think just walking around the hallway, people were happy," she said. "I think it's a relief--that there is community support for the hospital, and that there is help coming."

While the election result was significant, Brown said the mission of the hospital remains unchanged. "It doesn't change the fact that we still have a job to do, which is to provide health care," she said.

Above photo: Poll workers at the Spring Hill voter center are pictured near the end of Election Day Tuesday. One hundred votes had been cast from their location by 7:20 p.m.