JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 4/12/26
- Beth Coger
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
đź“… Week of:Â April 12, 2026Â đź“Ť Washington County, Arkansas
If you are on my subscriber list, you will receive two newsletters this week. That’s by design—some issues require more focused attention and transparency. I want to continue to keep updates clear and focused so you can stay informed without being overwhelmed.
Sometimes there's just too much going on for one update.
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Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition (AJRC) maintains a “Little Free Closet” at the Washington County Detention Center for individuals being released and others in need.
Our inventory is currently very low.
If you have gently used clothing to donate, please drop it off at 205 N. College Avenue in Fayetteville, weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Your support is greatly appreciated.
🏛️ This Week in Washington County
Washington County Regular Monthly Quorum Court Meeting
đź“… Thursday, 4/16/26 | ⏰ 280 N. College, Fayetteville, ArkansasÂ
đź“„ Agenda:Â HERE
Some Agenda Items to Watch:
Item 6: Approval of March Minutes HERE
Item 8: Ordinance Ratifying Conditional Use Permit Recommended for Approval for The Summers US-AR-5474 Communication Tower Project. Read Staff Report HERE.
Item 9: Ordinance Ratifying CUP Recommended for Approval for Cross Hydraulic Repair Project. Staff Report HERE.
Item 10: Ordinance Ratifying CUP Recommended for The East Springdale Commercial Park Project. Staff Report HERE.
Item 11: Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2021-26. This amendment ensures that both ordinances and resolutions follow the same review process. Even though resolutions are non-binding, they still reflect the official position of the Quorum Court and deserve the same level of transparency, public input, and consideration. I hope it will pass.
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WASHINGTON COUNTY MEETINGS FROM LAST WEEK:
Washington County Quorum Court Finance & Budget Committee met Tuesday 4/7/26. Watch the meeting HERE. Â
Read the time-stamped summary transcript of that meeting HERE.
What happened:Â Â
Treasurer Bobby Hill reported that March revenues were significantly lower than expenditures, contributing to a notable increase in General Fund spending compared to this time last year. While employee insurance costs continue to improve and sales tax revenues showed modest growth, the overall financial picture highlighted the importance of closely monitoring expenditures moving forward.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Community Rebuilding Initiative (CRI), where multiple committee members raised concerns about a lack of clarity regarding contracts, payments, and whether funding had been properly budgeted for 2026. Requests were made for more detailed financial reporting, including a full accounting of Returning Home and CRI expenditures and additional information on other funds such as the Law Library. (Remember there is a lawsuit pending against Washington County and Judge Deakins) involving the Law Library Fund)
No final action was taken on the CRI-related appropriation at that time, as members emphasized the need for complete and accurate information before moving forward. The discussion underscored a broader theme of the meeting: the importance of transparency, accountability, and ensuring that financial decisions are made with a full understanding of their impact.
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🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records
📌  If you haven’t already, read the Special Report I did on Washington County’s attempts to expand its Community Rebuilding Initiative (CRI), without public input. The Community Rebuilding Initiative (CRI) is a program operated inside the former Washington County Crisis Stabilization Unit that provides structured programming for individuals while they are incarcerated. Participants remain in custody and receive services such as counseling, education, and reentry preparation. Unlike pretrial services—which are designed to safely release individuals from jail—CRI operates within the jail system, meaning it does not reduce incarceration but instead provides programming during it.
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đź“Š Washington County Jail Data Dashboard
⚖️ Detention Center Data
Snapshot Date:Â April 11, 2026
Individuals Incarcerated in WCDC: 675
Homeless/Unsheltered: Â 62
Arrested Last Three Days: 120 and 47 of those have been released.
🔎 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
Here’s a list in alphabetical order to search for people.
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🧾 County Bid Postings (as of 04/12/26): Â
ACTIVE BIDS:Â
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 04/12/26
There are some good job opportunities available - check them out and share!
View and apply for job openings HERE.
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As I mentioned at the beginning, staying informed is essential to meaningful public engagement. That’s why you’ll see two newsletters from me this week—this regular update and a separate Special Report on the CRI proposal. It is an issue significant enough to warrant focused attention and a clearer understanding of the facts. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to stay engaged in the decisions that shape Washington County.
Accountability begins with an informed community.
Beth Coger
Justice of the Peace, District 9
Washington County Quorum Court
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