JP Coger’s Washington County Newsletter 12/28/25
- Beth Coger
- Dec 28, 2025
- 6 min read
🟧 JP COGER’S WASHINGTON COUNTY UPDATE
Week of December 28, 2025
This is a photo of the "Little Free Closet" at the Washington County Detention Center. This closet provides clothing to people who are being released from jail, often after several months of incarceration.
With the cold weather, we are always looking for donations of warm, gently used men and women's coats, jackets, scarfs, gloves, boots, etc. Anything that will help someone stay warm.
You may drop your donations off at Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, 205 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, 10:00 - 2:00 PM, M - F. or deliver them to the WC Detention Center (double doors by flag pole)
📅 Government Meetings — Week of December 28, 2025
As of publication, only one Washington County governmental meeting is scheduled this week:
Washington County Election Commission
🗓 Monday, December 29, 2025 — 9:00 a.m.
📍 2721 S. Brink Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701
🖥 Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 854 9622 7781
Passcode: 273938
Full Zoom invitation: [link]
📺 Meetings are livestreamed on the Election Commission’s YouTube Channel:
Agenda Items:
Approval of previous meeting minutes
Early Voting – Fayetteville Public Library closing time correction
Election Day Site — Mt. Comfort Road
Other business
_________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: Due to the timing of the holiday break, the County Services meeting has been moved to Tuesday, 1/6/26 at 6:00 PM, together with the Finance & Budget Committee meeting on the same date, immediately after County Services. Agenda not yet prepared.
🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records
I am sharing publicly available county documents that help explain county actions and spending. While these records are technically available to the public, many are not easily accessible without going to the courthouse in person — something most taxpayers do not have the time or ability to do.
Frank “Mac” Mayfield has filed an Illegal Exaction Complaint against Washington County and several vendors providing services and materials to the Washington County Detention Center. The lawsuit challenges the county’s decision to spend $18.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to expand the existing jail. To date, only one defendant has been served with summons: County Judge Patrick Deakins, in his official capacity.
Black’s Law Dictionary defines “Exaction” as, “demanding excessive fees or property under color of authority, and “Illegal” as “contrary to law or unauthorized.”
Disclosure: I am co-founder of Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, a nonprofit whose goal is to end mass incarceration. Mayfield is a member of AJRC’s Board of Directors. I have not been an officer or director of AJRC since September 2022, but I do very much support its mission and I do volunteer work for the organization on a regular basis.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK:
🟠 The Special Called meeting of the Washington County Quorum Court was held Monday, 12/22/25 at 6:00 pm. You can watch the meeting on the county’s YouTube Channel here. The purpose of this meeting was to hear two appeals from the Washington County Planning Board: Gulley Ranch Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and O’Brien Ready Mix CUP.
Here’s another link to watch the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/live/AK7qU-52UM0?si=vCCRu2FQ8zlEwHEa
To assist people in finding specific sections and discussions without scrolling through the entire meeting, I have prepared this “Outline with Timestamps Guide.” I downloaded the meeting into a transcription app and that program prepared the outline automatically. Remember, this is just a guide to help people locate specific parts of the appeal meeting.
Gulley Ranch Event Center CUP — Where Things Stand
What this was about:
The Quorum Court heard the appeal of the Planning Board’s approval of the Gulley Ranch event center CUP (300-person venue + cabins/Airbnbs).
Key concerns raised:
Roads & drainage: Black Oak Road is narrow and curvy; the new driveway already shows erosion, raising questions about drainage and emergency access.
Public safety: Concerns about fire, ambulance, and law enforcement access during large events, especially at night.
Compatibility with the area: Neighbors argued a 300-person commercial event venue is not compatible with a quiet, rural residential area.
Property values & quiet enjoyment: Residents fear loss of peace, increased traffic, noise, and lower property values.
Arguments in support of the CUP:
Several JPs who visited the site stated they felt the roads and access were adequate.
Supporters emphasized the applicant’s investment in the community, stated trust in expert approvals (engineers, fire, planning staff), and argued the venue would generally be peaceful and well-managed, not a “party barn.”
Conditions added:
Cap of 200 guests per event (down from 300).
Driveway maintenance plan required to ensure the access road is properly maintained.
Vote & next step:
The court approved adding the above two conditions to the CUP.
The ordinance to ratify the CUP remained on its first reading — a motion to move it to second reading failed, so it will return at a future Quorum Court meeting for further consideration. I expect that will be the regular meeting on 1/15/26.
O’Brien Ready Mix Concrete Plant CUP Appeal
What this was about:
The court was scheduled to hear the appeal of the O’Brien Ready Mix concrete plant CUP.
Why it was postponed:
The applicant’s engineer (who handled the original Planning Board hearing) was out sick.
Some JPs felt proceeding without all key parties present and without full expert testimony could increase the risk of future lawsuits against the county.
A motion was made and approved to postpone the appeal hearing to the January Quorum Court meeting.
Public comment allowed anyway:
The court suspended the rules to allow a 20-minute public comment period on the concrete plant that night.
Comments included:
Concern about dust, wildlife, and lake quality at Bob Kidd Lake.
Concerns about traffic and accidents on the nearby highway and the impact of slow-moving concrete/gravel trucks.
Frustration from residents who had emailed all JPs and received few or no replies and public comment time was cut short when the county judge adjourned the meeting.
🔵 DETENTION CENTER SNAPSHOT
Incarcerated People as of 12/28/25: 704 (extremely high and unsafe) We should not be “renting” jail beds — especially while our own facility remains overcrowded and unsafe.
Listed as “unsheltered”: 84
Act “309” Trustees: 39 (down one from last week)
ADC Committed: 144
Courtesy/Contract Holds: 77
Failure to Appear Charges: 123
Hold Other Departments: 205 (extremely high)
More information on people incarcerated in our jail: Detainee Summary and Inmate Population Analysis
Here’s the link to the Detailed Charge Report: https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-f-z/sheriff/detention-information/detainee-charge-report
You can check the “Calls for Service” board here.
Here’s a list in alphabetical order to search for people.
County Bid Postings (as of 12/27/25)
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2025-01. Due: 12/29/25 @ 4:00 PM RFQ for Architectural Services —
Questions Remain
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks architectural services for floor plan recreation, renovation concepts, and potential feasibility studies of existing county-owned buildings, including assessments of structural integrity and proposed updates.
I am concerned this RFQ may include plans to repurpose the former Community Corrections Center (women’s facility) into a Community Rebuilding Initiative program for women. At this time, however, no funding has been appropriated, and no feasibility study has been approved to evaluate the costs, operational requirements, or long-term impacts of such a use.
Without that analysis, it is unclear whether this proposal would function as a true alternative to incarceration or simply continue jail-bed capacity under a different name. Earlier this year, I introduced an ordinance to require a feasibility study before moving forward with any such repurposing, but it did not advance out of committee.
Meanwhile, extensive renovations have already begun at the former women’s prison. Residents deserve clear answers about what work is being done, under whose authority, and how it is being funded.
You can view the closed bids here.
View all RFQs and bids [here].
Washington County Job Openings (as of 12/28/25).
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.91 / HR | |
Temporary | Open Until Filled | 14/Hr | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $16 - $17.62 | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.25 - $23.42/hr | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.91 - $24.14 | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $18hr |
Below is the link for all posted job openings in Washington County. The road department and sheriff’s offices are almost always hiring. The road department is 479-444-1610. The sheriff’s office is 479-444-5700.
🌟 Closing Thoughts
As we close out 2025, I want to say thank you for staying engaged, asking hard questions, and caring about how your county government works. Democracy works best when the public is informed — and your attention, advocacy, and involvement truly matter. It seems we have no control over what happens nationally, but here locally, being involved can make a big difference and can bring welcome change.
In the year ahead, I will continue doing everything I can to promote transparency, fiscal responsibility, humane and data-driven justice policies, and honest government. I’m grateful to walk this path with you.
Wishing you and your families a safe, healthy, and peaceful New Year. May 2026 bring more light, more accountability, and more opportunities for our community to do good — together.
Warm regards,
– Beth Coger
Washington County Justice of the Peace, District 9
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