JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 1/18/26
- Beth Coger
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
Week of January 18, 2026
📅 This Week’s County Meetings – NONE (As of this Publication)
O'BRIEN READY MIX APPEAL
INFORMATION FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION
Here is a Review of Candidates and Candidate Review of Ballot Content furnished by the Washington County Election Commission. Re: March 3, 2026 Primary Election
Check your voter registration HERE.
🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records
📜 What the Law Requires: Legislative Audit Review
Under Arkansas Code Annotated § 10-4-418, the Quorum Court is required to formally review the audit’s findings and recommendations and to take appropriate action on each one. This may include accepting a finding, directing corrective action, requesting additional information, or documenting why a recommendation will not be implemented.
The law also requires that the minutes of the Quorum Court meeting clearly document:
That the audit findings and recommendations were reviewed, and
What actions, if any, the court took in response to each finding.
📌 Selected Audit Concerns (Not Exhaustive)
Significant risk identified: Management override of controls.
Unauthorized withdrawals totaling $168,574 from a county bank account in 2023. The audit notes that these funds were later recovered.
Federal funds compliance gaps related to Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). Because prior federal audits did not include these expenditures, potential noncompliance could not be determined.
⚖️ A Few Legal Updates (Public Record)
In the case of WC Bar Association v. Deakins Et Al, 72CV20252-4761, Answers to Request for Admissions were filed on behalf of the defendant Deakins.
In the case of Mayfield v. Washington County Etal, the Arkansas Supreme Court appointed the Honorable Ralph Wilson (Bar #75142) as Special Judge to hear this case.
An Order of Dismissal was entered in the Eaglecrest CUP federal case on 1/8/26.
🟣 MEETINGS FROM LAST WEEK:
Monday 1/12/26, 12:30 PM, Washington County Election Commission meeting. This was a short meeting which you can watch here on the County’s YouTube Channel here.
⏱️ Summary of the 1/12/26 Washington County Election Commission Meeting (Transcript Excerpt)
🟠 Washington County Quorum Court, Regular Monthly Meeting, Thursday, January 15, 2026 — 6:00 PM - watch the entire meeting here. Here’s an AI generated summary with time stamps of the meeting.
My Vote on the Gulley Ranch CUP
I have received several messages regarding my vote on the Gulley Ranch Conditional Use Permit (CUP), and I want to explain my decision.
I visited the property twice—once with neighboring residents and once with the applicant—to better understand the site and surrounding area. My vote against ratifying the CUP was based solely on the criteria the Quorum Court is legally required to apply when reviewing conditional use permits.
My vote was grounded entirely in land‑use law, zoning criteria, and site‑specific impacts. In my judgment, this proposal did not meet the required criteria.
✏️ Detention Center Snapshot as of 1/18/26):
Total jail population: 724 (extremely high)
Homeless or unsheltered: 85
ADC committed: 139
“309” holds: 38
Failure to Appear charges: 135
Courtesy/contract holds: 89
Holds for other departments: 205
When our jail is operating at dangerously overcrowded levels, continuing to hold individuals for other jurisdictions—including federal agencies—places additional strain on staff, facilities, and detainees.
📑 County Bid Postings (as of 1/18/26)
Bid 2026‑01: Plastic Tile – Road DepartmentQuestions due: 1/20/26 | Bids due: 1/26/26 at 4:00 PM
Bid 2026‑02: Metal Tile – Road DepartmentQuestions due: 1/20/26 | Bids due: 1/26/26 at 4:00 PM
Bid 2026‑03: Compact Cargo Van – County LibraryQuestions due: 1/20/26 | Bids due: 1/26/26 at 4:00 PM
🧑💼 Washington County Job Openings (as of 1/18/26)
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.91 / HR | |
Full Time | 02/28/2026 4:30 PM | 24.38 - 26.86/hr | |
Temporary | Open Until Filled | 14/Hr | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $58,697.60 - $64,708.80 | |
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 | $21.91 - $24.14 | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $68,161.60-$75,129.60 | |
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.
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