JP Coger's Washington County UPdate
- Beth Coger
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
📅 Week of: March 29, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas
Last week, I sat down with Conduit News to discuss key issues facing Washington County — including transparency, accountability, and the direction of county leadership.
▶️ I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch:
In this interview, I discuss:
✔️ The importance of open and transparent government
✔️ Concerns about decisions being made without full public discussion
✔️ The loss of important programs and services that once supported county residents
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🗳 Republican Primary Runoff – Tuesday, March 31
Secretary of State: Hammer • Norris
County Judge: Shepard • Deakins
✔ Eligible voters are those who voted: Republican ballot • Nonpartisan ballot • or Did not vote March 3
📍 Early Voting: Monday 3/30/26 is the last day to vote early and the only place open on Monday to vote will be the Washington County Clerk’s Office, Third Floor, Washington County Courthouse, 280 N. College, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Go HERE to find a list of all the polling places open on Election Day and much more information.
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🏛️ This Week in Washington County
Washington County Quorum Court COUNTY SERVICES MEETING
📅 Monday, March 30, 2026 | ⏰ 6:00 PM Washington County Quorum Court Room
📄 Agenda: HERE🎥 Watch Live: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
Some Agenda Items to Watch:
Juvenile Detention Report - Chris Tinsley
Sheriff’s Report - Jay Cantrell (not much reported)
Social Work Intervention Program Report - Shelley Clingan (Outstanding Report)
Item 9: Resolution Concerning Stewart Family Christmas Lights to Cease Operations, Obtain CUP and More JP Robert Massingill will introduce a resolution regarding a business allegedly operating without a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
In my four years on the Quorum Court, I have not seen a resolution like this brought forward. Portions of the language are concerning, as they appear to attempt actions that a resolution does not have the authority to accomplish.
Item 10: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2021-26 I am bringing forward an ordinance to require that all resolutions go through the appropriate committee before being considered by the full Quorum Court.
While many resolutions already follow this process, this would make it a formal requirement.
Why this matters: This is fundamentally about transparency and good governance. Committee review ensures public input, thorough discussion, and informed decision-making. When items bypass committee, those safeguards are lost — and, often, so is transparency.
Two Washington County Election Commission Meetings this week, both at the WC Election Commission Office, 2721 S. Brink Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas:
📅 Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | ⏰ 7:00 PM, 2721 S. Brink Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
📄 AGENDA HERE
🎥 Watch Live HERE
Absentee ballots, applications, etc. to be opened and processed. After the polls close at 7:30, as soon thereafter as practicable, Absentee, Early Vote and Election Day Ballots tabulated.
📅 Thursday, April 2, 2026 | ⏰ 9:00 AM
📄 AGENDA HERE
🎥 Watch Live HERE
Ballot remakes, if needed; Provisional Ballot Review and Ballot Remake Tabulation.
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MEETINGS FROM LAST WEEK:
💧 Rural Development Authority Meeting 3/26/26. Watch HERE. Read my time-stamped summary HERE with a breakdown of actions taken and items discussed.
⚠️ Key Concern:
How was a lawsuit filed in the name of a public body without its authorization, and who funded that action? A lawsuit was filed in the name of the RDA against Tontitown, but the board members were not aware of the lawsuit filed on their behalf. That discussion starts at 7:35 in the video.
Key Actions & Outcomes: Who paid this law firm to file the COMPLAINT? I very much doubt a firm in Little Rock took this case pro bono. The exhibits mentioned in the complaint can be found HERE. The answer filed by Tontitown is HERE. HERE is the motion to stay state court proceedings filed last year.
• The board added two agenda items: ratification of the Chamber water service-area ceding issue and discussion of a lawsuit filed in the RDA’s name without its knowledge. (A pretty big item to be added to an agenda) • The board approved Resolution 2026-1 ratifying the Chamber area ceding. • The board rejected ratification of the lawsuit and then voted to dismiss the lawsuit filed in the RDA’s name. • No action was taken on conversion documents related to Washington Water Authority becoming a Public Water Authority; the board postponed the matter to a future meeting for further legal review. |
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The Washington County Planning Commission also met last Thursday at 5:00 PM. Watch the meeting HERE.
Dr. Ata provided us with this RECAP of the meeting. All agenda items were approved unanimously and the three CUPs will require a quorum court hearing to ratify.
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🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records
📌 This week, I received the M&V Report (2/1/25–1/31/26) for the 2019 Johnson Controls contract (Contract 2019-40).
Key Result: Savings totaled $578,678, exceeding the guaranteed amount by $56,508.
✔️ This is a positive outcome and demonstrates the value of performance-based contracts when properly executed.
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💰 FOLLOW THE MONEY
📄 Contract 2026-105– Motor Graders & More
Lease purchase agreement with The Huntington National Bank (Cadence Equipment Finance division)
Monthly payment: $42,266.44 (60 months)
Total interest: $622,294.56
Total principal: $3,663,691.84
Residual value (2031): $1,750,000
📄 Contract 2026-104 Contract 2026-104
$264,500 for educational programming (agriculture, family sciences, 4-H)
📄 Order No. 2026-043 $74,739.68 Bobcat Purchase. This one for Building & Grounds. Remember the 2023 Bobcat purchased by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for $68,844.32 that resulted in several investigations, including the Arkansas State Police and others? I am not saying there is anything wrong with this purchase, but can't we borrow between departments?
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📊 Washington County Jail Data Dashboard
⚖️ Detention Center Data
Snapshot Date: March 28, 2026
Individuals Incarcerated in WCDC: 696
Homeless/Unsheltered: 72
🔎 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 03/29/26):
ACTIVE BIDS:
Bid 2026-09 Firearms for Sheriff’s Office Bid openings: 4/14/26 9:00 AM; Bids Due: 4/13/26 at 4:00 PM. This is for the purchase of Glock firearms, ammo and accessories and also provides for the trade in of weapons and accessories.
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🧑💼Here are the Washington County Job Openings as of 3/29/26
In addition to other job postings, the position for GIS Analyst-IT (0115015), Pay Grade 14: $58,697.60 - $64,708.80 is still active.
There are other good job opportunities available - check them out and share!
View and apply for job openings HERE.
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Thank you for staying informed and engaged in Washington County.
— Beth Coger
Thank you for all of the information you provide to keep us informed.