JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 3/22/26
- Beth Coger
- Mar 22
- 5 min read
📅 Week of: March 22, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas
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🏛️ Community & Civic Engagement
🗳 Republican Primary Runoff – March 31
Secretary of State: Hammer • Norris
County Judge: Shepard • Deakins
✔ Eligible voters: Republican ballot • Nonpartisan ballot • Did not vote March 3
📍 Early Voting: Washington County Clerk’S Office March 24– March 30 | 8:00–4:30
(No Saturday voting)
Citizen Complaint Raises Questions About County Employee Conduct
An article in today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports on a citizen complaint filed by Attorney Chris Hussein (photos attached to his email) regarding social media posts allegedly made by Deputy County Attorney Catherine Baker. The complaint raises questions about whether political activity may have occurred during county time.
In response to Mr. Hussein’s inquiry, I provided my perspective, and JP Kyle Lyons directed the matter to the County’s Human Resources Department for review.
County Judge Patrick Deakins is quoted in the article characterizing the issue as an attack on employee’s First Amendment rights and describing the concerns raised by Mr. Hussein as “irresponsible.”
The complaint raises serious allegations related to a county employee's use of county time for potential political activity—matters that warrant careful and objective review. I believe that if the positions were reversed—if Judge Deakins were not the incumbent —he would view the allegations as significant and deserving of scrutiny and not as "irresponsible." That's my opinion. You can always just ask him.
Public trust in county government depends on consistent standards and accountability. Allegations involving the use of public time or resources for political activity should be taken seriously—regardless of the individual or position involved.
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🏛️ This Week in Washington County
Regular Meeting Washington County Planning Commission
📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026 | ⏰ 5:00 PM Washington County Quorum Court Room
📄 Agenda: HERE🎥 Watch Live: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
Agenda Items Three (#) CUP HEARINGS & Seven (&) COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT
HEARINGS:
2026-022 Summers US-AR-5474 Communications Tower Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Property Owner: Chris & Gohon Lee; Applicant: The Towers LLC/Vertical Bridge (Rob Mears); 21896 W Hwy 62, Lincoln, AR 72744. To construct and operate 325 wireless communications tower.
2026-042 Cross Hydraulic Repair CUP Property Owner: Perry Farms LLC; Applicant Michael Cross; 18293 Deer Rd (WC 547), Fayetteville, AR 72703. To operate small-scale hydraulic repair/maintenance business within an existing shop building attached to residence. Maximum of five (5) customers anticipated per business day.
2026-047 East Springdale Commercial Park CUP Property Owner: Stacey Robert Tait (Tait Living Trust); Applicant: Bates & Associates; 5657 E Robinson Ave/AR E Hwy 412, Springdale, AR. To construct and operate a restaurant, two (2) commercial buildings, and two (2) flex-space warehouse buildings on approx. 7.31 acres.
2026-036 Replat Tract E & F Pardue’s Subdivision Property Owner & Applicant: R & D Property Holdings LLC; 17708, 17712, 17724 Beav-O-Rama Road (WC 545), Fayetteville, AR.
2026-037 Replat Tract F Pardue’s Subdivision Property Owner & Applicant: R & D Property Holdings LLC; 17712, 17724 Beav-O-Rama Rd (WC 545, Fayetteville, AR.
2026-033 Replat Lots 30 & 31 Blackberry Ridge Sub. Ph. II Property Owner: Collin & Natasha Sanders; Applicant: Collin Sanders; 6082 W. Primeark Horizon Dr. Fayetteville, AR.
2026-034 Minor Subdivision Property Owner: Jerry & Barbara Johnson Trust; Applicant: Bates & Associates (Haylee Hooper); 17486 Habberton Rd. (WC 89), Fayetteville, AR.
2026-041 Himes Minor Subdivision Property Owner: David & Tammy Himes; Applicant: David & Tammy Himes/Bates & Assoc.; 2799 N. Double Springs Rd. (WC 881), Fayetteville, AR.
2026-045 Replat Lot 5E Magnolia Acres Subdivision Property Owner: Idyllic Enterprises LLC; Applicant: Bates & Assoc. (Haylee Hooper); 18488 Lake Sequoyah Rd WC 50, Fayetteville, AR.
2026-046 POPS Cato Preliminary Large Scale Development Phase II Property Owner: POPS III LLC; Applicant: Earthplan Design Alternatives (James Geurtz, PE); 3322 S Cato Springs Rd, Fayetteville, AR.
Meeting Washington County Rural Development Authority
📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026 | ⏰ 10:00 AM Washington County Quorum Court Room
📄 AGENDA HERE
🎥 Watch Live: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
Washington County Rural Development Authority (RDA) is converting to a Public Water Authority. This meeting is to capture any and all legislative changes as RDA converts the Rural Development Authority of Washington County Arkansas to the Northwest Arkansas Public Water Authority. Includes Application for Conversion; Plan of Conversion; Resolution; Articles of Conversion.
If you have comments or knowledge about this and what it means, please let me know. Is it a good thing?
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MEETINGS FROM LAST WEEK:
Regular Monthly Washington County Quorum Court meeting 3/19/26. Watch the full meeting HERE.
✔️ Read a time-stamped summary of the meeting HERE with a breakdown of actions taken and items discussed.
Key Actions & Outcomes
✔️ The Quorum Court approved retroactive pay for public defenders and prosecuting attorneys. Why it matters: This corrects prior underpayment and impacts how the county prioritizes funding for core justice system roles.
❌ JP David Wilson’s resolution concerning protests at public schools did not receive sufficient support and was not adopted. Why it matters: The court declined to take a formal position on student-led protests, leaving the issue outside county action. That is outside our jurisdiction.
🟠 PROCESS & TRANSPARENCY UPDATE
📌 WHY I MADE THIS MOTION
At the March 19 Quorum Court meeting, I made a motion to remove the Stewart Family Lights item and the JP Wilson's resolution from the agenda and refer them to the County Services Committee (March 30). I did have the votes to move the Stewart Family Lights resolution to committee, but my motion to move JP Wilson’s resolution did not have enough votes to pass; therefore, it was heard and voted on at the meeting Thursday.
🔍 WHY THIS MATTERS
🧭 “It’s just a resolution.” Yes, but Resolutions Still Carry Weight
Some people suggested that because these items were “just resolutions,” it was acceptable to bypass committee review. I strongly disagree. While resolutions are not legally binding like ordinances, they still represent the official position and voice of the Quorum Court. That makes them consequential—and deserving of the same level of transparency, discussion, and public input - because we are speaking for the county.
🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records
📌 Last week I shared information about the Johnson Controls Contract from 2019 (Contract 2019-40) Read the Contract HERE I received these documents in response to my request for information:
🧾💲 Follow the Money
Contract 2026-98 = $66,500.00 Annual subscription renewal - provides for SMS and TTSW messaging at 1,000,000 annually. Payable annually. Pricing based on up to 267,000 total contacts. “Marshalese and Hokna-Chin auto translation capabilities added within 180 days of signature.”
Order 2026-030 = Accepts Bid 2026-06 Metal Tile for Road Department with Consolidated Pipe and Supply. See Page 6 of Bid for minimum orders and size/costs of tile.
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📊 Washington County Jail Data Dashboard
Transparency through data
Snapshot Date: March 22, 2026
Individuals Incarcerated in WCDC: 698
Homeless/Unsheltered: 74
🔎 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 03/22/26):
ACTIVE BIDS: None
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🧑💼Here are the Washington County Job Openings as of 3/22/26
Includes, but not limited to, new posting for GIS Analyst-IT (0115015), Pay Grade 14: $58,697.60 - $64,708.80.
There are other good job opportunities available - check them out and share!
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Thank you for staying informed and engaged in Washington County.
— Beth Coger
Justice of the Peace, District 9
Washington County Quorum Court
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