POCAHONTAS, Ark.—The city of Pocahontas has begun an effort to bring operation of Five Rivers Medical Center under the city and the hospital board.

Currently, Allegiance Health Management Inc. runs the hospital. Last week, the Pocahontas City Council unanimously approved a resolution giving a committee permission to negotiate termination of the agreement with Allegiance.

The board, which will be the same as the present advisory committee that helps oversee the hospital operation, would report directly to the city, Mayor Gary Crocker said.

Crocker said Allegiance has been notified by letter that it has been in breach of its contractual agreement with the city.

The mayor said the termination letter was sent to Allegiance on Wednesday. “We have given them every opportunity to let us know they intend to meet the terms of the contract” and take care of the breach, Terry Dickinson, a member of the committee, told The Jonesboro Sun.