Opinion No.

The Honorable Thomas G. (Tom) Baker State Representative Route 1, Box 80 Alicia, AR 72410

Dear Representative Baker:

This is in response to your request for an opinion on the following question:

Is it lawful for a county hospital, without going through the bid process, to contract with a member of the hospital board for the collection of the bad debts of the hospital?

It must be initially noted, in responding to your question, that county board members are generally precluded from being interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract of the county. A.C.A. 14-14-1202(c)(2)(A) (Supp. 1989)…