JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 10/25/26
Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update!
Three Questions About the Airport Board Reappointment
I do not know Tom Lundstrum and am not questioning his qualifications. My concern is whether his reappointment to the Northwest Arkansas National Airport Authority Board followed the law and the Quorum Court’s own ordinances, agreements and rules. I do not believe it did.
I have raised three objections to the October 15 proceedings:
1. Can an outgoing judge appoint someone to a term beginning under his successor?
Lundstrum’s current term ends December 31, 2026. The proposed six-year term begins January 1, 2027, after Judge Deakins leaves office. I question whether Deakins may make that appointment now rather than leave the selection to his successor.
The legal authorities I have cited raise questions about prospective appointments. Their application to this particular appointment requires careful review.
2. Was my demand for a Division of the Assembly handled correctly?
Immediately after the chair announced that the motion passed, I demanded a Division of the Assembly. Judge Deakins acknowledged the demand but retook the vote by a show of hands.
Robert’s Rules of Order, which the county has adopted, provides for a rising vote upon a proper demand for division. A single member may make that demand without a second, debate, or vote. My objection is that the prescribed procedure was not followed.
3. Did the appointment receive enough votes?
This is my strongest argument. Ordinance 2020-032 approved the Airport Authority agreement, whose Article V, Section 501 requires ratification by a majority vote of the applicable governing body.
The October 15 vote was:
Yes—6: Pond, Ricker, Rios Stafford, Highers, Massingill, and Ecke.
No—3: Coger, Lopez, and Bruns.
Not voting—4: Wilson, Lyons, Leming, and Dean.
My reading is that six affirmative votes do not satisfy the agreement’s requirement for ratification by the 15-member Quorum Court. I have also cited Arkansas Attorney General Opinion 94-232 in raising this issue.
The events I have described above remind me of the concerns I raised about the process Judge Deakins and Brian Lester used to remove Mr. Joe Maynard from the Planning Board last year. Read about that HERE.
I have consulted independent counsel and am pursuing these concerns. The public deserves a clear explanation of the appointment’s legal basis and the vote required to approve it.
Our ordinances and procedural rules are not mere suggestions. They must be applied consistently, regardless of the issue or who raises an objection.
Election Commission to Consider DOJ Monitor Request Monday
The Washington County Election Commission meets Monday, October 26, at 1 p.m. at 2721 S. Brink Drive in Fayetteville. Its agenda includes a Department of Justice request for election monitors.
Washington and Pulaski counties have been identified in reporting about the planned Arkansas deployments. Why was Washington County selected, what concern prompted the request, and what would the monitors be permitted to do?
I have confidence in Election Coordinator Jennifer Price and her staff. Before granting voluntary access, the commission should make the DOJ request public and establish its legal basis, purpose, and safeguards.
An unexplained federal presence could intimidate eligible voters, particularly Black and brown voters and naturalized citizens. No one should feel singled out because of race, language, or appearance.
I urge the commission to obtain a written legal assessment and require clear protections against interference, voter intimidation, and unauthorized access to ballots or equipment. If DOJ cannot explain the need and accept appropriate safeguards, the commission should decline any access it has lawful discretion to refuse.
Every eligible voter should be able to vote freely and confidently.
The meeting will be live-streamed on the County Election Commission’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpX-GrzfCvEF0PszfEr6V3Q
Meeting ID: 831 4106 4848Passcode: 200376
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👀 Looking Ahead - All meetings are open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, meetings will be held at the Washington County Courthouse, 280 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville.
Planning and Zoning Board Meeting: Thursday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. 2721 S. Brink Drive, WC Election Commission Building - moved due to early voting in the Quorum Court Room.
County Services Committee Meeting: Monday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m. (new date due to early voting in Quorum Court Room)
Finance and Budget Committee Meeting: Tuesday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m.
November Regular Quorum Court Meeting: Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m.
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Washington County Planning Board Meeting Thursday, October 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m.; 2721 S. Brink Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Election Commission Building (located by Road Department)
The meeting has moved because of early voting in the Quorum Court Room.
The agenda includes three Conditional Use Permit hearings and three land-development hearings. I received the materials Friday and will send a special newsletter Monday or Tuesday with summaries and questions about these proposals.
Read the full agenda HERE. _________________________________________________________________
📊 Washington County Jail Data Dashboard
⚖️ Detention Center Data. Read the most recent Inmate
Population Analysis HERE.
Read the Detainee Summary HERE.
The Sheriff’s Office’s October 23 reports show a current population of 730 and a reported high count of 733. People currently detained had spent an average of 190 days in jail. The daily summary lists 342 pretrial detainees, 238 state prisoners, and 83 federal prisoners, including 163 new commitments to the Arkansas Department of Correction.
97 are listed as unhoused (experiencing homelessness)
8,929 Year to Date Bookings
0 Sent to Prison (since last report)
7.15 Number of Average Prior Bookings
38 Average Age of Detainees
633 Males
97 Females
These figures underscore the need to examine detention lengths, state-prison transfers, and opportunities for appropriate pretrial release with support and supervision as part of addressing overcrowding.
🔎 Public Data Resources
Detailed reports are available here:
Detainee 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.
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🧾 County Bid Postings as of 10/25/26: No new bids.
Bid No. 2026-19 - Detainee Food, Commissary, Communications Services was awarded:
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Washington County Job Openings 10/25/26
Washington County is hiring for positions in emergency communications, public safety, the courts, road maintenance, IT, and other county services. Full-time, part-time, and temporary opportunities are available.
View current openings, pay, qualifications, and application instructions HERE. Please share with anyone who may be interested.
View the county’s job postings and application details here. Please share these opportunities with anyone who may be interested.
See the full list and application details.
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I look forward to any questions or comments you may have.
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— Beth Coger
Justice of the Peace, District 9
Washington County Quorum Court
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