JP Coger's Washington County Newsletter 8/3/25
- Beth Coger
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 26
📌 THIS WEEK’S COUNTY MEETINGS - None
The County Services Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, August 4, 2025, was canceled by email at 8:38 a.m. Friday morning.
The reason given for the cancellation was “lack of agenda items.” Our constituents expect and deserve transparency, accountability, and action. This notice came from Mr. David Allen, our Court Secretary, but he is just the messenger. This decision was likely made by the County Judge and others.
I was surprised to hear about the lack of agenda items. Given the current issues facing Washington County, claiming there are “no agenda items” is, at best, disingenuous—and at worst, completely implausible.
For example, investigations of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. I am getting calls from people, from Washington County taxpayers, who expect the Quorum Court to step up and take action to address issues raised in those investigations. As we should. That's our job.
As of Tuesday morning, our Planning Board will be out of compliance with a new state law. These are just some items that should be discussed in a public forum and that are proper items for the County Services Committee. (I offered a solution to the Planning Board- see below)
We were elected to serve the public—not to silently condone procedural avoidance or pretend there’s nothing to discuss. I refuse to play along. Avoiding problems will not make them go away—it only makes them worse.
We are not here to rubber-stamp silence. We owe our community more than that.
Here are just a few items for the County Services agenda. If we are not going to have public discussions about these issues, let's discuss them here:
Information and lack of information concerning investigations at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. This document contains the results of the internal investigation of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. (Re: alleged illegal use of county owned property and other matters) Here is a letter that I sent to Judge Deakins and the quorum court. I sent this after Judge Deakins accused me of “dropping the ball” and abandoning the whistleblower.
At the last quorum court meeting, Judge Deakins said the investigative reports would be on file for the public in the Circuit Clerk’s Office. As of Friday 8/3/25 they are not. I am getting phone calls from people in the county who are appalled that nothing has been done about this. They are expecting us, the quorum court, to do something about that. That could have been and should have been an agenda item.
Isn’t the fact that we do not have a functioning Planning Board an agenda worthy item? The situation with our Planning Board and Act 519. Act 519 of 2025 goes into effect Tuesday 8/5/25 and requires that: “A majority of the voting members of the county planning board shall reside in an unincorporated area of the county.” In order to comply, we need two (2) additional members appointed who reside in unincorporated areas of the county. JP Evelyn Rios Stafford tried to correct this at the July quorum court meeting by bringing an ordinance to accomplish that. That ordinance will be on its second reading 8/21/25.
Dr. Sam Ata notified the quorum court that due to Act 519, all planning decisions are on hold and there will be no planning board meetings. Here is that email notice.
I wonder if my proposed solution had anything to do with cancellation of the County Services meeting? I proposed this simple solution of adding JP Rios Stafford’s ordinance to the County Services Agenda; and, assuming it passed, immediately having a special meeting of the entire Washington County Quorum Court to vote on it and, just like that, coming the morning of 8/5/25 we would be in compliance with Act 519, our Planning Board could function and planning projects could proceed. I was ready to bring that forward, but now I cannot – because meeting was cancelled. (It would have been a simple process to advertise the special meeting).
I also heard that JP Rivera Lopez was bringing back his ordinance to have emergency notifications set out in other languages (not just English).
🏛️ IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
JP Coger Silenced at QC Meeting 7/17/25 Watch the exchange here.
🔹 What happened: I wasn’t allowed to give background and context on why I was voting against a resolution.
🔹 My take: Judge Deakins and JP Ecke did not like what I had to say - or what they were afraid I would say. JPs always get to give background and explain why they reach the decisions they make.
🔹 Next steps: Keep doing what I’m doing
Washington County Pays Coger FOIA Judgments
🔹 What happened: Washington County paid my two judgments in the Coger v. Deakins Etal 2023 FOIA lawsuit.
🔹 My take: Washington County Circuit Court and the Arkansas Court of Appeals ruled Washington County violated the AFOIA laws on public meetings of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (CJCC).
🔹 Next steps: Judge Deakins took the next step early on and disbanded the entire CJCC. I will always push for transparency. Keep on doing what I'm doing.
🔹 What did this cost the taxpayers of Washington County? $20,603.80 in attorney fees, costs, and my two judgments. The Court of Appeals opinion sums up the case and highlights testimony at trial that the county knew better. When asked during a phone call by Judge Deakins to help keep the CJCC meetings closed, I replied: “...that is a hill I will die on...” (Transcript Page 43) Read the trial transcript for more background.
⇒ SHERIFF OFFICE INVESTIGATIONS
Here is the internal investigation report that was provided to the Quorum Court. This is not everything, but it’s what I have in my possession to date.
_____________________________________________________________
WASHINGTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER INFORMATION
As of Saturday 8/2/25, there are 693 individuals detained at the Washington County Detention Center. The breakdown is as follows:
86 individuals reported their address as either “homeless” or 1832 S. School Street (Seven Hills Homeless Shelter).
39 detainees are classified as 309 Trustees.
111 individuals are ADC Commitments—they have been sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections but remain in our jail due to a lack of available DOC beds.
192 individuals are being held on Failure to Appear charges.
202 individuals are being held for other jurisdictions (Hold for Other Departments).
Here’s the link to the Detailed 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 8/3/25)
New Bid: 2025-08 due 8/4/25 at 4:00 PM; opening date 8/5/25. This is a bid for thirteen (13) road graders and a request for trade-in value for eleven (11) road graders. You may view the bid and the Amendment here.
New Bid: 2025-09 due 8/18/25 at 4:00 PM; opening date 8/19/25. This is a bid for flooring and wall updates for the Fourth Floor of the Washington County Courthouse.
View all RFQs and bids [here].
_______________________________________________________________________
County Job Openings (as of 8/3/25).
Full Time | Open Until Filled | 23.71 / HR | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.91 / HR | |
Temporary | Open Until Filled | 14/Hr | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.25 - $23.42/hr | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $18 Hr | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $29.92-$32.98 | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $16.90-$31.10 |
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. https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-f-z/human-resources/job-postings
Comments