Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! First, I am sad to share that Friday, September 18, was Human Resources Director Jessica Bennett’s last day with Washington County. Her kindness, knowledge, and expertise will be greatly missed. I wish Ms. Bennett all the best in her next endeavor. Our county is better for her service, and we will feel her absence. A good election starts with informed voters. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Research

Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! It was a good week in Washington County for getting things done: Last fall, a constituent asked me why Washington County did not send taxpayers email reminders when property taxes were coming due, kind of similar to the payment reminders many of us receive from credit card companies and other businesses. I took the suggestion to Washington County Tax Collector Angela Wood. She was receptive, listened carefully, and began explo

Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! This is a busy week for Washington County government. The rescheduled Finance and Budget Committee meeting is Monday evening, followed by Thursday’s regular Quorum Court meeting. Among the matters before us are the proposed paid parental leave ordinance, several conditional-use permits, and important questions about the county’s 2027 budget. I hope you will review the agendas, watch the meetings, and stay involved....

Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! At last week’s County Services Committee, Washington County Assessor Russell Hill gave a very informative presentation (HERE and HERE) on “Property Tax and Washington County.” We heard at the Arkansas Association of Counties meeting last month that there is actually a discussion or movement going around to do away with Arkansas real property taxes. Assessor Hill warned that eliminating real-property taxes would leave local go

Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! Work is beginning on Washington County’s proposed 2027 budget, and I am sharing the complete first draft for your review. This week’s newsletter also covers Monday’s paid parental leave proposal, continuing jail overcrowding, and a broad new Paragon Architecture contract that identifies neither a total cost nor all the county buildings it may cover. As always, I welcome your questions, concerns and observations. HERE the compl

Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! Starting this week off with valuable information from Assessor Russell Hill Important Information from Assessor Russell Hill Last Thursday, 8/20,26, the Quorum Court approved Washington County’s continued participation in the voluntary SCAAP program by a 10–5 vote, rejected the Water Authority nomination of a county employee, and adopted stronger controls over how capital funds may be spent. I also talk about another $327,420 P

Welcome to this week's Washington County Update! I attended the Arkansas Association of Counties Annual Conference in Hot Springs last week. I will have more on that next week - there is already so much to cover in this edition. _________________________________________________________________ When government weighs the benefits of a decision, the human cost belongs on the scale too. 🌟 Last week, the Finance & Budget Committee voted 8–3 to advance Washington County’s part

Welcome to this week's Washington County Update! The Finance & Budget Committee meets Monday evening to begin important discussions about the county’s 2027 budget. This week’s newsletter examines proposed employee salary increases and their potential effect on labor budgets, two ordinances designed to strengthen the Quorum Court’s control over capital spending (which I support), and the proposed SCAAP ordinance involving the county’s participation in a federal immigration-e

Welcome to this week's Washington County Update! This edition includes County Services agenda highlights, new jail and juvenile detention statistics, county employment opportunities, labor cost trends, and several items to watch in the coming weeks. _________________________________________________________________ 🌟 Professional Development I am honored to have been selected to participate in the Central Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas

My Favorite Quote - Thank You, Judge Beaumont. 👀 Looking Ahead Although there were no county meetings this week (as of this publication) August begins one of the most important times of the year for county government. Finance & Budget Committee meetings will begin reviewing the proposed 2027 Washington County budget, where funding priorities, staffing requests, capital projects, and departmental budgets will be discussed. These meetings often shape county spending long befor

UPCOMING MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY: 📅 There are no Washington County meetings scheduled as of this publication for the next two weeks. County Services Committee meets next on 8/3/26 at 6:00 PM. Finance & Budget meets 8/10/26 at 6:00 PM. August Finance & Budget meeting will begin the County's 2027 budget discussions, making attendance especially important for anyone interested in county spending priorities. WASHINGTON COUNTY MEETINGS FROM LAST WEEK: 1. The Washington

TRANSPARENCY CORNER AND FOLLOW THE MONEY This week brought several important developments in Washington County government—from questions surrounding next week's Quorum Court meeting (Will there be one?), to new developments in the Building & Grounds facilities plan, to the letting of bids for a portion of that "plan." As I always do, I've included the supporting documents so you can review the information yourself and draw your own conclusions. ↪ Quorum Court Meeting It bega

TRANSPARENCY CORNER AND FOLLOW THE MONEY Old Jail Expenses 1/1/2025 to 6/30/2026: $520,276.10 spent on renovations and improvements to the “Old Jail” formerly known as the women’s prison which Judge Deakins closed in 2024. The county judge wants to expand his Community Rebuilding Initiative (CRI) to that building which will, in fact, be a jail bed expansion. Over half a million dollars spent already. Building & Grounds Unveils Multi-Year Facilities Plan (See The Plan HERE)

WC Judge Patrick Deakins' Refusal to Accept Grant - This is not leadership! WHEN PROCESS BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT THAN PEOPLE One of the most disappointing decisions I have seen this year was Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins’ refusal to accept an $81,000 grant from the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation that would have funded a Social Work Coordinator in the Public Defender's Office. This grant would not have increased local taxes. It would have provided services to p

🏛️ This Week in Washington County, Arkansas 6/21/26 ________________________________ 🏆 Washington County Road Department Receives National Achievement Award Before diving into this week's county business, I want to recognize an accomplishment that deserves attention. Our Washington County employees are the ones who keep our doors open and the county running everyday. Our own Washington County Road Department has received a 2026 Achievement Award from the National Associa

THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON COUNTY: Thank you to Washington County Assessor Russell Hill for this property tax estimator. 📅 Washington County Quorum Court Regular Monthly MeetingThursday, June 18, 2026 • 6:00 PM - Read agenda HERE. This meeting will be live-streamed on the County’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar Agenda Highlights: Item 5: Citizens’ Comments A fifteen-minute period with a three-minute limit for each individual to comment on items on th

THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON COUNTY: 📅 Finance & Budget Committee meets Tuesday, June 9, 2026 • 6:00 PM - Read agenda HERE. This meeting will be live-streamed on the County’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar If you can, please attend. Agenda Highlights: Item 4: Treasurer’s Report - Bobby Hill The General Fund ended May with $18.7 million on hand, while the Road Fund held $4.2 million and the Jail Operations & Maintenance Fund held $7.4 million. Property

🏛️ This Week in Washington County 5/31/26 _____________________________________________________________ This week's newsletter highlights several issues that deserve close public attention, including a proposed pretrial services program, significant courthouse renovation contracts, upcoming planning and election matters, and new data from the Washington County Detention Center. As always, my goal is to provide information that helps you stay informed about how your county go

🏛️ This Week in Washington County 5/24/26 🔴⚪🔵 Memorial Day & County Schedule🔴⚪🔵 The Washington County Courthouse will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. At the time of this publication, no county governmental meetings are listed on the county’s website for this week. The next meeting is County Services Committee scheduled for 6/1/2026, 6:00 PM, Washington County Courthouse. This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the men and women who gave thei

🏛️ This Week in Washington County Government - Includes One (1) Conditional Use Permit Ordinance - Genesis Ranch Project - read more below. 🏗️ Washington County Quorum Court, Regular Monthly Quorum Court Meeting – Thursday, 5/21/2026, 6:00 pm, Washington County Courthouse, 280 N. College, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Read Complete Agenda HERE. Some Agenda Highlights: Item 7: County Judge Report - Patrick Deakins Item 8: Property Assessed Capital Expenditure Act Ordinance - He