JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 10/5/25
- Beth Coger
- Oct 5
- 6 min read
Hi everyone,
Here’s what’s happening in Washington County this week — two key meetings, important updates on county spending, and new job and bid postings. As always, I’m committed to keeping you informed and encouraging public participation in your local government.
➽ Washington County Quorum Court Finance & Budget Committee meets Tuesday, 10/7/25, 6:00 p.m., Washington County Courthouse, Fayetteville, Arkansas. In person meeting only. The meeting will be live streamed on the county’s YouTube channel.
Here is the complete agenda.
Public Comment:
At the end of the meeting (12 minutes total*; 3 minutes per speaker).
Another 12-minute* comment period occurs before any ordinance or resolution vote.
*may be extended upon ⅔ vote
Agenda Highlights:
➽ Item 4.1:
Treasurer’s Report (9/1/25–9/30/25)
General Fund: $16,420,660.08 → $14,825,396.96
ARPA Revenue Replacement Fund: $7,610,030.98 → $7,226,549.42
Jail Maintenance & Operation: $8,391,172.46 → $8,352,295.70
Law Library Fund: $310,522.10 → $315,316.29
CRI Fund: $299,255.07 → $250,707.93
Property Taxes (Sept): $603,260.26 (↑ from $472,501.17 in 2017)
1¢ Sales Tax (Sept): $964,633.05 (↑ 6.71%)
¼¢ Jail Sales Tax (Sept): $1,482,901.60 (↑ 6.60%)
An ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE PAY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING BOARD. This ordinance, sponsored by JP Massingill will increase the pay of Planning Board members from $75.00 per meeting to $300.00 per meeting. 💡 Why it matters: Board compensation can impact recruitment and participation. Expect discussion on fiscal impact and precedent for other county boards.
🌿A presentation by the Washington County Conservation District.
🌿A presentation by the Illinois River Watershed Partnership.
An ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $506,469.12 FROM THE GENERAL RESERVE FUND (1001) TO THE CAP BUDGET (1000.1492) FOR 2025. This is a request by Returning Home, Inc., through Judge Deakins, to continue the Community Alternative Program (CAP). Here’s the report on CAP and Returning Home’s justification for appropriation of this money.
🏗️ Special Planning Board Meeting
📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 🕠 5:30 PM (note time change) 📍 Washington County Courthouse – Quorum Court Room (2nd Floor) In person meeting only. Meetings are live-streamed on the County’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
If you’re interested in the future of growth, development, and infrastructure in unincorporated areas of Washington County, I urge you to attend.
🧭 About the Meeting
Per Planning Director Dr. Sam Ata:
Speaker: Jeff Hawkins
Historical overview of county planning efforts leading to zoning (est. 2006)
Review of Ordinance No. 2025-044 (adopted August 21, 2025)
Discussion of future zoning districts to align development with county’s long-term vision
📘 Informational only — no votes; board members may ask questions Will the Public be allowed to speak and ask questions??? 🔗 [View the Agenda Here]
Hear Judge Deakins’ announcement (Sept 19 Quorum Court Meeting, start at 25:55): [Watch Video]
🗣️ Every county meeting should welcome public comment and participation. That’s a hill I will die on.
Below is the email which JPs received from Dr. Sam Ata, Planning Director, Friday 10/3/25:
“Good day members of the Board and QC,
A Special Meeting of the Washington County Planning Board is scheduled for:
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025Time: 5:30 PMLocation: Washington County New CourthouseRoom: Quorum Court Room, Second Floor
Mr. Jeff Hawkins will be providing a historical overview of the County’s planning efforts leading up to the establishment of zoning in 2006, as well as a review of the newly adopted Planning and Zoning Ordinance No. 2025-044, which was passed on August 21, 2025.
If time permits, Mr. Hawkins may also discuss the concept of rezoning and the potential benefits of creating future zoning districts as a proactive approach to guiding development in alignment with the County’s long-term vision.
Please note: This is an informational meeting only. No action or voting will be required by Planning Board members. However, board members will have the opportunity to learn about the current planning process and ask questions, as needed.
The meeting agenda can be found at the following link.
We hope to see you there on Thursday evening.
Thank you!”
——— ✦ ———
Let’s recap last week’s meetings:
➽ Watch last week’s County Services meeting here.
Starting at 4:13 in the video, JP Kyle Lyons makes a motion to remove the ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING VARIOUS POSITIONS FROM THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY. Apparently the county asked for an Attorney General Opinion concerning discussion of the various Washington County Sheriff Office investigations, which the AG refused to give because it did not involve FOIA. County Attorney Brian Lester:
“We requested an AG's opinion. We got a 4:58 letter back that the AG would not provide an opinion because it did not relate to FOIA and therefore we could 5:04 not request an AG's opinion.”
The ordinance appropriating $506,469.12 to continue the Community Alternative Program (CAP) was removed from the agenda. Starting at 44:12 in the video, Nick Robbins, Executive Director of Returning Home, starts his report on the Community Rebuilding Initiative (CRI).
——— ✦ ———
WASHINGTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER:
At last Monday's County Services meeting, we learned that there were 77 US Marshal prisoners in our jail and 14 immigration people. The above transcription is what Sheriff Cantrell said (starting at 37:36 in this video).
These aren’t just numbers. These are our neighbors — members of our community. That's a lot of people. I don't think most people in our community realize just how bad things are right now for our immigrant neighbors and the fear and uncertainty that is part of their every day lives.
📢 A great local resource is the Alliance for Immigrant Respect and Education (AIRE) — a grassroots immigrant rights organization --- find them at @aire.arkansas on Facebook and Instagram. They share reliable information on how we can support our immigrant neighbors and take meaningful action in our community. They conduct educational training sessions for the public to learn and become involved.
As of 9/30/25, the “High Count” showed 745 individuals detained at the Washington County Detention Center. 92 of those are listed as unsheltered.
State Prisoners: 164
Female Count: 127
Year to Date Bookings: 7,943
Federal Prisoners: 87
Pretrial: 394
For more detailed information, here is the Detainee Summary and the Inmate Population Analysis 9/30/25.
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 10/5/25)
Bid 2025-12 Services for the Women’s Community Rebuilding Initiative. Bids are due: 10/13/25 by 4:00 PM. Proposals will be opened 10/14/25 at 9:00 AM. Washington County is being sued because it did not go through proper procurement procedures on the Men’s CRI. Read about it here.
Bid 2025-14 RFP for “Rebid” of Fuel Island System. Bids are due 10/20/25 at 4:00 PM. Opening date is 10/21/25. For more information, contact Jarrod London purchasing@washingtoncountyar.gov. This includes Diesel/Fuel Pumps & Injectors; Fuel Management System and Fuel/Petroleum Equipment.
You can view the closed bids here.
View all RFQs and bids [here].
——— ✦ ———
County Job Openings (as of 10/5/25).
The Road Superintendent position is still open. Here is more information on that. No official announcement has been made to the quorum court about this job vacancy.
The new listing for “Investigator, Court & Trial Coordinator” is for a position in the Public Defender’s Office.
Full Time | Open Until Filled | $21.91 / 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 | $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.
_______________________________________________________________________
🤝 THANK YOU
Thank you for staying engaged with your county government. Every voice matters — I hope to see you at an upcoming meeting or hear your feedback.
— JP Beth Coger
Washington County Justice of the Peace, District 9