JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 10/26/25
- Beth Coger
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Week of October 26, 2025 Transparency • Accountability • Fiscal Responsibility
🟠 MATTERS CONCERNING WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS AND YOUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS::
Final Order containing results from County Judge Deakins’ “Inquiry Into the Matter of Unreported Gifts from Vendors to County Offices…” This inquiry concerns funds for the “Sheriff’s Breakfast.” The order finds that a food vendor, “...Summit Foods, who earns roughly $1,500,000.00 per year from their contract to supply meals to Detention Center detainees and staff…appears fraught with unlawful or unsavory actions by the vendor that appear to be welcomed by the Sheriff’s Office.” Further, that the Sheriff’s Breakfasts do, “...not benefit Washington County as a whole, or the Sheriff’s Office as a whole, but only the high-ranking persons who receive an invitation, and select political candidates, officers of the court, and nonprofits.” In closing, the Order directs the Judge’s Office employees to “...inquire to the Arkansas Ethics Commission regarding Summit Foods’ registration as a lobbyist…”
Nabholz Construction Corporation Contract 2025-152 for “Covid Mitigation.” Part Two; and Part Three.
Order Awarding Bid for “Women’s Community Rebuilding Initiative” to PEARL. $767,690.00 bid. Here is the Order with the contract.
Order Opening Inquiry Into Matters Pertaining to the Purchase of Cash Cards, Food Gifts, Booth Rentals, and Memberships. Judge Deakins is opening this investigation as County Judge questioning, or at least investigating, purchases made and funds spent by Washington County Assessor Russell Hill. Assessor Hill disputes the judge’s allegations and has hired his own legal counsel.
Order Opening Inquiry Into Matters Pertaining to Purchase of Used County Equipment by County Employee. This alleges that a county employee, the purchaser, did not pay any amount above the trade-in value amount, and removed the used equipment directly from county property without it passing through the equipment vendor.
New lawsuit filed against Patrick Deakins, Washington County, Deputy County Attorney Catherine Baker Etal, Case No. 72CV25-4761 involving a dispute between the Washington County Bar Association and Deakins Etal concerning use by Deakins of funds belonging to the Law Library Fund, and for other relief. Here are a few items of which I have proof that may be the cause, or at least part of the cause, for the filing of the lawsuit:
Recently paid off a privately owned vehicle for Nick Robbins d/b/a Returning Home, Inc. that was financed by Robbins through ArVest Bank.
By Order dated 9/9/25, Deakins transferred $130,000 from the unappropriated reserves of the Law Library Fund to the Law Library Budget for 2025.
Also an expense in the amount of $25,000 was paid from the Law Library Fund to Kenny McCain for “Interior Painting of the Detention Center.” The invoice cites the “Washington County Juvenile DE.”
$5,377.75 was paid from the Law Library Fund for “Materials - Parts - ADS-ET AF Dishwasher, also, I believe, for the JDC.
7. Order Opening Inquiry Into Matter of Unreported Gifts From Vendors to County Employees or Elected Officials. This is an investigation by Deakins concerning trips…”if these trips occurred…” that the county is not aware that they were reported by the vendor or by the public employees.
8. Contract 2025-154 between the County and Multi-Craft Contractors, Inc. for $11,209.00 concerning work to be done at the “Washington Co Old Detention Center.” That’s the former women’s prison at 100 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
🟠 WASHINGTON COUNTY MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
Washington County Planning Board meets Thursday, 10/30/25 at 5:00 PM, Washington County Courthouse. In person meeting only. The meeting will be livestreamed on the county’s YouTube Channel.
Read the Agenda for Planning Board here. Please note there are four Conditional Use Permits (CUP) Applications on, two carried over from last month:
Vaughn Recycling High Intensity CUP 2509 Aarons Drive, Springdale. This CUP was heard for the first time last month but was tabled at the request of the applicant until this month.
O’Brian Ready Mix Facility High Intensity CUP 16234 W Hwy 62, Prairie Grove. This CUP was also heard at the September 2025 PB meeting and was tabled at the request of the applicant. Note: Last month’s PB meeting only had four members present. It could possibly be that the applicants felt they would have a higher chance of approval if more members were present, as they likely hope will be the case this week. The quorum court did raise the rate of pay for PB members from $75 per meeting to $300, so maybe that will help.
Pup Town Doggie Daycare CUP 4005 N. Old Wire Road, Fayetteville. Applicant Adam Osweiler. 4.22 acres. Proposed Use: Dog Daycare and Boarding.
Poplin Automotive CUP 22580 Mason Road, Fayetteville. Applicant Justin Poplini. 2.00 acres. Proposed Use: Commercial - Automotive Repair Shop.
The agenda includes three County Land Development Hearings:
Carroll Miner Subdivision, 13004 Rocky Hill Road, Prairie Grove, 4.17 acres, 1 parcel creating two.
Replat Lots 3 and 4 Windy Hill Estates 4392 N Old Wire Road WC4030, Fayetteville. 11.67 acres/ 2 parcels
Properties Minor Subdivision II 11363 Jim Hall RD, WC 601, Prairie Grove. 9.46 acres/1 parcel creating three new lots.
The Washington County Election Commission meets Thursday 10/30/25, 9:00 AM, Election Commission Office, 2721 S. Brink Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Commission’s YouTube Channel. The Agenda includes:
Discussion of Greenland Special Election 11/18/25
Preferential Primary Discussion 3/3/26, including ballot draw (12/4/25 @ 9:00 AM; review of Candidate Political Practice Pledges; letter to party chairs and ballot draw procedures; Precinct Change Order and Absentee Handling Order for County Clerk.
County Bid Postings (as of 10/19/25)
Bid 2025-16 RFP for “Painting Service” Exterior at 100 N. College Avenue. The site of the former women’s prison. Due date: 11/10/25 at 4:00 PM. Opening date 11/12/25 (no time shown).
Bid 2025-15 This is actually seven solicitations for various categories, materials, services, hardware, all at the 100 N. College Address. Responses are due 11/13/25 at 4:00 PM. Opening date 11/14/25 (no time shown). Note: This requires a “Mandatory In Person Conference Date” at the site, 100 N. College Avenue, at 2:00 PM, October 30, 2025.”
Etensive renovations have already begun on the former women’s prison. Where is that money coming from?
You can view the closed bids here.
View all RFQs and bids [here].
County Job Openings (as of 10/26/25).
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 | $21.91 - $24.14 | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.91 - $24.14 | |
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.91 - $24.14 | |
Full Time | 10/31/2025 4:30 PM | $102648.00-$113152.00 |
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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