Thanks to the support of Hot Spring County citizens, a half-cent county sales tax to help HSC Medical Center was approved by voters on September 9, 2008.  Eighty-eight percent of the votes cast were in favor of the proposal.  The sales tax will be in effect for five years beginning on January 1, 2009, and should provide 1.2-1.4 million dollars annually for the hospital.  By law, the monies may only be used for certain designated expenses and excludes salaries.  The hospital will be accountable to the county on how the money is spent.