JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 1/4/26
- Beth Coger
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
📅 This Week’s County Meetings – FOUR (4)
🟠 County Services Committee
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 — 6:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, Washington County Courthouse 280 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Read the agenda here.
Livestream/Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
What to Expect:
▫️Juvenile Detention Report - Chris Tinsley
▫️Sheriff’s Report - Jay Cantrell. This report format contains limited information compared to the detailed monthly reports provided prior to 2023. I plan to request that those earlier report formats resume so the court — and the public — have fuller transparency into jail operations.
▫️Resolution (expressing support for poultry producers) This resolution includes technical references such as “0.037 mg-P/L over a 6-month arithmetic average.” To better understand its meaning and impact, I requested clarification from the county. If anyone has expertise in this area, please reach out. Here is the email that I sent requesting more information.
Resolution (endorsing Packaging Specialties, Inc. for “Tax Back Program”) This is per A.C.A. § 15-4-2706(d). Here’s the request from JP Kyle Lyons that we be allowed to see and review this presentation before the meeting.
Resolution (to order owner of real property at 19443 Nob Hill (WC389) Loop to “remediate the dangerous or unsanitary condition” within 30 days. The resolution says this is per A.C.A. § 14-14-813. According to the Assessor’s records, the parcel owner is Montgomery G. Nelford of Columbia, Missouri. Notably, the total assessed value dropped from $214,750 (2023) to $34,000 (2024) — a reduction of more than 80%. I’m guessing a fire or some destruction to the property. The resolution would require the owner to correct unsafe or unsanitary conditions within 30 days.
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🟣 Finance & Budget Committee
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 — immediately following the County Services Committee meeting 📍 Quorum Court Room, Washington County Courthouse 280 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Read the Agenda Here. Livestream/Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
What to Expect:
▫️Treasurer’s Report - Bobby Hill (Formatting in the county email is poor — reproduced here as provided.)
Law Library Fund Revenue: $9,081.98 Expenses: $4,352.18 Ending Balance: $323,281.39
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund Remaining Balance: $4,180,424.57 Once ARPA funds are gone, there will be no further federal COVID funds. We continue to see rising costs for the “COVID Mitigation Project.” We've had zero discussions (at least in public) as to whether there will be enough funds left to finish the project and, very important, how the county will pay for the expanded jail capacity. 88 beds??
2024 Property Taxes Paid in 2025 $23,287,188.94 — up 9.57% from the prior year
1¢ Sales Tax (60% General / 40% Roads) $11,384,576.55 collected in 2025 Up 5.04% from 2024
▫️Employee Insurance Report - Charles Angel
▫️Comptroller’s Report - Paul Sherman
🟢 Washington County Planning Board
Thursday, January 8, 2026 — 5:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, Washington County Courthouse 280 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Read the Agenda here.
Livestream/Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
What to Expect Five (5) County Land Development Hearing (Click each link to see Applications & Staff Reports)s:
▫️Dunlap Minor Subdivision: 270 Main St., Winslow, Arkansas; single-family residential. +/- 2.46 acres (1 parcel creating two lots). Applicant Melinda Dunlap.
▫️Replat Tract 2 Wilderness Run Subdivision Phase I: 20307 Chimney Field RD. Winslow, Arkansas; single-family residential. +/- 79.99 acres / two parcels. Applicant: Chet Swartzentruber & Jen Owens.
▫️Replat Lots 407 & 408 Wedington Wood Unit IV: 14014 Hickory TR WC 2171., Fayetteville, Arkansas; single-family residential. +/- 5.58 acres / 2 parcels. Applicant: Atlas Professional Land Surveying, Tim West, Surveyor
▫️Desert Sand Commercial Building Final LSD: 7645 W. John Garrison Rd., Fayetteville, Arkansas; commercial - multi-use warehouse. +/- 32.00 acres / 1 parcel. Applicant: Earth Design Alternatives James Geurtz, PE.
▫️ Ellis Estates Preliminary Subdivision (3 Documents: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3: 4698 E. Mission Blvd., Fayetteville, Arkansas; single-family residential. +/- 23.67 acres / 2 Parcels Creating 58 Lots. Applicant: Mary McGetrick (Buffington Homes) - Hunter Collins & Conner Threet, Crafton Tull.
🔴 Special Meeting — Washington County Quorum Court
Thursday, January 8, 2026 — immediately following the Planning Board meeting 📍 Quorum Court Room, Washington County Courthouse 280 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Read the Agenda here.
Livestream/Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
What to Expect:
▪️ Conditional Use Permit Hearing for Vaughn Recycling High-Intensity CUP: 📍 2509 Aarons Drive, Springdale — Metal Recycling Facility Applicant: Bates & Assoc., Engineer Braden Wise
📌 Regarding Judge Deakins’ CUP Scheduling Memo ▫️All JPs received this letter from Judge Deakins on 12/8/25 at 8:16 AM. Re: Upcoming Changes to CUP Process and Call for Planning Code Reform.
The memo states the goal is to increase JP understanding of Planning Code and processes.
My thoughts:
I already attend Planning Board meetings regularly. When I cannot attend, I watch online.
The Quorum Court spent over 18 months reviewing and revising the Planning Code
Calling special meetings costs taxpayer money
It is not yet clear how this change benefits county residents. If you have thoughts on that, please let me know. Maybe I'm missing something.
The memo also says the Planning Code is in “critical need of reform.”
My question is:
Whose reform — and who benefits?
I’ll continue to review proposed changes with caution and transparency.
🗳 Washington County Election Commission — Meeting Summary
You may watch the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/KduC2iD7gtw?si=17t0frX1rfUTfTtk
📍 Early Voting — Fayetteville Public Library Hours
18:59–20:03
Early voting at the library will run 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: On the last day of early voting — Friday, Feb. 20 — polls at the library will close early at 1:00 PM due to a scheduled event at the library.
The Commission will sign an updated notice reflecting this change.
🏫 New Polling Location Near Mount Comfort
20:03–23:12
Because the previous polling site (Mount Comfort Church of Christ) is no longer available, the Commission announced and discussed a new Election-Day vote center:
➡️ Fayetteville Church of Christ
📍 About 1 mile from the former polling location 🚦 Located at a traffic light, making it safer to turn in and out 🚗 Adequate parking available 📊 Expected to serve voters well, especially since many now vote early
Commissioners also noted that the area is rapidly growing — and future elections may require additional polling options.
📝 Official Vote to Approve Changes
23:13–24:31
The Commission voted unanimously to approve:
✔ Updated early voting hours at the Fayetteville Public Library ✔ Addition of Fayetteville Church of Christ as a polling site
Commissioners then signed the updated Notice of Election.
🌐 Public Information & Website Updates
24:31–25:01
Updated information on voting locations will be posted:
On the Election Commission website
In Power Profile / Voter View (the state’s voter lookup tool)
The County Clerk’s Office has also been notified.
❄️ Winter Election Planning
25:01–25:20
Commissioners briefly discussed the potential for winter weather in February and March and noted it as a planning consideration.
🗳 Instant Runoff Ballots — Informational Update
25:20–27:34
The County Judge race will now appear on instant runoff ballots.
Some absentee voters will receive a special runoff ballot inside a clearly marked envelope.
These ballots will be stored securely and counted only if a runoff is needed after the March 31 election.
This was informational only — no vote required.
🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records
Re: 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.
Since last week’s original update: One Answer has been filed by separate defendant ComCreteLLC and one Order of Recusal has been filed by Judge Beth Bryan.
Order, Contract, Invoice, Etc. approving a $157,009.48 deal with Hartland Business Systems, LLC to “purchase new equipment for WC Information Systems.
Order, Bid, Contract, Etc. awarding $75,000.00 bid to Kenny McCain Bid 2025-19 “Exterior Painting at 100 N. College - REBID.” This is the location of the former women’s prison just down from the courthouse at 100 N. College.
🔵 DETENTION CENTER SNAPSHOT
Incarcerated People as of 01/03/26: 681
Listed as “unsheltered”: 78
Total Inmates 1/1/25 through 12/30/25: 10,487
Total Days in Jail 1/1/25 through 12/30/25: 173,769
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 01/04/26): None.
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2025-01 for 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 was opened 12/30/25. The website says “Pending Award,” but there’s no tabulation sheet or anything that I can find that identifies to whom the contract will be awarded, if any.
You can view the closed bids here.
View all RFQs and bids [here].
Washington County Job Openings (as of 01/04/26).
Includes two new job openings since last week: Admin. Asst. Prosecutor and Law Clerk for Judge Martin. Please share this with people you know who are looking for employment.
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $18.61 - $20.51 | |
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 | $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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