Proposed Penny Sales Tax Would Help Invest In New Bristow Hospital

The City of Bristow is proposing a one cent sales tax on the April 6th ballot to help build a new hospital. The current hospital is 66 years old and city leaders say this is a chance for voters to invest in the future.

Bristow Mayor Rick Pinson said a new hospital is essential for growth for the city of Bristow, and he hopes voters will see the importance of keeping it open.

"If you don't have that facility here, it could be a life and if we can save one life, it will be worth it all,” said Pinson.

Pinson has been in office for two years now and said hospital upgrades are a top priority.        

The hospital is currently operated by Endeavor, but their contract is up at the end of this year, so the Bristow Hospital Authority is asking for proposals from providers interested in taking over operations.

“Hats off to Endeavor for keeping that thing up out there, because they don't have a lot to work with,” said Pinson, “It's just the codes of the health department have changed so much that there's no way we can code that hospital out there now.”

The current hospital recently lost their operating room and has limited bed space, but the new hospital would have two surgical suites, a state-of-the-art Emergency room, and a brand-new outpatient facility.

"You can see through the pictures it's a really nice facility and the Bristow people deserve it,” said Pinson.

Ten years ago, Bristow voters passed a sales tax that helped lay the groundwork for a new hospital, but that tax expired last summer. Bristow City Attorney Beth Anne Childs said this new tax would continue that effort.

“It’s not going to be enough to build a new hospital facility but what it does do is it provides opportunities for the city and the hospital authority to qualify for a USDA loan,” said Childs.

If it passes, half a cent would help fund the new hospital, and the other half will go to parks and recreation improvements to help fix the city's swimming pool.

Pinson said these upgrades are essential for continued growth after their recent airport expansion this summer.

Related Story: Groundbreaking Held For $35 Million Bristow Airport Expansion

Pinson also believes these improvements are needed for Bristow's aging population.

“If you go out and spend $100, that’s a dollar that we are asking for and what are you getting out of it? You're getting a new hospital, you're getting a new swimming pool, new activities, you're increasing your quality of life,” said Pinson. “Give back to the community, that's what I think.”

The proposition will be on the ballot for Bristow voters on April 6. Voters can also see the renderings in person at Bristow City Hall.