JP Coger's Washington County Newsletter 4/20/25
- Beth Coger
- Apr 20
- 4 min read
🔍 What’s Happening This Week
🗳️ Election Commission Meetings
Public Equipment Testing:📅 Tuesday, April 22 at 10:00 AM📍 2721 S. Brink Drive, Fayetteville
The Washington County Election Commission will conduct a public test of the voting equipment ahead of the May 13th annual school election. I always find these sessions informative—it's a great opportunity to see firsthand the safeguards and procedures that ensure election integrity in Washington County. Jennifer Price, our wonderful and hard working Election Coordinator, is incredibly knowledgeable and runs a tight ship.
Election Commission Meeting:📅 Wednesday, April 23 at 9:00 AM📍 Same location as above📺 Live stream: Election Commission YouTube Channel
Here’s the agenda for that meeting.
🎥 Highlights from Last Week’s Quorum Court Meeting
📅 Thursday, April 17, 2025📺 Watch the full meeting here
Landfill Concerns (5:37):Resident Kenneth Lovett raised concerns about odors and emissions from Eco Vista Landfill and asked the court for help. (for the third time, at least that I'm aware))
Law Library Board Dispute (9:21): Washington County Bar President Tim Watson addressed the court regarding County Judge Deakins' efforts to dissolve (or something) the Law Library Board, which serves residents who can’t afford legal representation. Mr. Watson stated that a portion of the $500,000 allocated to the Emergency Operations Center rightfully belonged to the board—a claim the judge disputes.
"There is no more embarrassing way of an organization to spend money than what the law library has done over the past year." Judge Deakins' statement (14:39 in video)
During the 2025 budget process I tried to get funding for the Law Library Board Help Desk but I didn’t have enough votes to do that.
📄 Below are links to all the documents between the Law Library Board and Judge Deakins’ office, at least all as provided by Ms. Baker to all JPs on 4/18/25:
County Law Library Board Docs16-23-102
County Administration of Justice Fund
Here’s a rough transcript of what Mr. Watson told the court.
He mentioned potential “judicial intervention.” Taking on the Washington County Bar Association? Bold move.
Other Programs Cut or just vanished since January of 2023 (that I can recall and/or have knowledge of - there may be others):
HIV Clinic
Crisis Stabilization Unit
NWA Community Correction Center (women’s facility - was a nationwide model)
Ozark Regional Transit
WC Environmental Department
Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee
Job Evaluation & Salary Administration Committee
Eaglecrest Ordinance Confusion (28:19):A new ordinance was introduced to repeal an ordinance that we'd already repealed in April 2024… yes, you read that right. County Attorney Lester explained it was a procedural issue, but the logic still feels murky. Residents and their attorney came prepared to speak but weren’t allowed to. I’ve yet to hear a solid reason why. I regret that I did not call a "point of order" and intervene. I will try to do better next time.
Zoning Ordinance Update (starting at 24:41): The other item was the zoning ordinance. Starting at (@24:41) County Judge Deakins asked the court to elect a temporary chair (JP Lyons) to conduct the remainder of the meeting because “...I know I’ve been criticized as being too much into that process [zoning]...”
Key amendments included removing language related to city jurisdiction—thanks to Act 314—and revising appeal procedures. Eaglecrest and the zoning ordinance now move to the Planning Board for public hearings:📅 Thursday, May 1 at 5:00 PM📍 Washington County Courthouse
As soon as the zoning ordinance is updated on the county planning page to reflect amendments we made last week, I will share it with you.
⚖️ FOIA Update
Last week, my attorney, Steve Zega, sent this demand letter to the county attorney to pay me the $5,445 judgment it owes me from my second successful FOIA lawsuit—this one over illegal meetings of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee. Hopefully we won't have to file another Writ of Execution to get the county to comply with the court's order. (That's what happened in the first FOIA lawsuit)
🚨 Detention Center Snapshot (as of 4/20/25)
📌 Total Detained: 732 publicly listed
🔒 Restricted Bookings: Estimated 80–100 (likely federal/ICE detainees)
🏚️ Listed as Homeless: 71 individuals(Includes those using the Seven Hills Shelter address)
📘 Please read the 2020 Criminal Justice Assessment Study from the National Center for State Courts—an essential resource on why expanding our jail isn’t the solution.
📢 County Bids & RFPs (as of 4/20/25)
🆕 Disaster/Weather Relief RFP
Posted: April 17, 2025
Clarification Deadline: May 12 at 2:00 PM
Due Date: May 28 at 4:00 PM
Opening: May 29 at 9:00 AM
🏢 Property Insurance: Buildings & Content
Posted: March 28, 2025
Interpretation Deadline: April 14 at 2:00 PM
Due Date: April 28 at 4:00 PM
Opening: April 29 at 9:30 AM
💼 County Job Openings
Highlighted roles as of 4/20/25:
Technology Director (IT) – $102,648–$113,152
Adult Detention Officer – $21.91/hr
Juvenile Case Coordinator – $21.91–$24.14/hr
Planning Technician – $21.25–$22.31/hr
Mechanic III (Road Dept) – $29.92–$32.98/hr
Peer Recovery Specialist – $17.05/hr
Election Poll Workers – $14/hr
📞 Road Department: 479-444-1610
📞 Sheriff’s Office: 479-444-5700🔗 All County Job Listings
📬 Stay Connected
Want to be added to this newsletter list?📞 Call/text: 479-306-9994📧 Email: ejcoger@gmail.com
More updates to come—stay tuned and stay engaged!
Comments