- HELP WANTED -

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

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Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment

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F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

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Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced TIG Welder for a permanent day shift position. The applicant must be proficient in welding aluminum.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

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Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a technical/phone sales position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering technical inquiries, providing product information and recommendations, troubleshooting with potential and current customers, and processing orders in a fast-paced office setting. Parts, automotive, and computer experience would be helpful.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment. T0315

Medical

continued from page 13 the form of a line of credit or a loan,” said Dr. Steve Cole, chancellor of UA Cossatot and chair of the Sevier County Medical Center Board of Governors. “That would fill the gap between when we open and we are able to generate sufficient revenue. That time has come.”

Cole, along with board treasurer Greg Revels and hospital CEO Lori House, approached the quorum court with a plan to pay the hospital’s operating costs, which total around $1 million a month. They announced the hospital has been offered a $4.5 million line of credit through Farmers Bank & Trust.

Last week, however, the hospital was informed by its legal counsel that the process of obtaining the $4.5 million loan would not be as simple as signing a loan agreement. The hospital would be required to provide the public with legal notice, hold a public hearing and phrase the loan as a bond—essentially, in this case, another word for a loan issued to a government entity.

Hospital officials and quorum court members expressed concern this wording would confuse some county residents given that the hospital was constructed through a bond supported by a sales tax increase. That sales tax increase was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2019.

The $4.5 million bond would not be paid for by tax revenue, but rather the revenue the hospital is expected to make once it is eligible to bill insurance and receive reimbursement from government-subsidized healthcare plans. And because the loan would not be tax-supported, no additional election is needed to approve it. However, county officials will need to host a public hearing and a 30-day public comment period before the loan can be obtained.

“We’ve been trying to look at lines of credit or loans or different ways we can fill this gap in revenue,” Cole explained. “We did not know until this past Thursday that when it comes to a large loan or line of credit, we actually have to have an ordinance from the quorum court to allow us to go do that. There needs to be a 10-day window for a public announcement and a 30-day time period for public comment. That way everyone knows we’re looking for a loan and if anyone has any objections now’s the time to go through that process.”

Following a lengthy discussion during its meeting on Monday, the quorum court voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the hospital to secure the loan. The necessary public hearing was then scheduled for Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. in the conference room of the Sevier County Courthouse.

Ryan Bowman, a representative with the Friday Firm which handles the hospital’s legal issues, stressed that the bond would not be collateralized by any other county revenue. In effect, the loan is held and secured by the hospital alone using its revenue as collateral.

Hospital officials say this loan will allow the hospital to cover its expenses until it can support itself through revenue from medical services. Before the loan was approved, Cole estimated the hospital had enough money to fund four months of operation. That will be extended through most of the year through the $4.5 million bond.

Several justices of the peace raised the issue of budget cuts until the hospital reaches a level of solvency. Cuts are something the hospital is pursuing, Greg Revels informed the board, but he, CEO Lori House and Cole stressed that the hospital is currently running at minimum staff levels. For instance, House said the hospital has refrained from hiring a maintenance team and is currently relying on other hospital employees to cover those needs.

“We’re literally running at the absolute minimum level of staffing we can right now,” said House.

The discussion ended with officials agreeing to hold a work day between the hospital board of governors and the entire quorum court to further discuss hospital finances. That meeting is expected to be set for later this month.