🟧 JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 4/19/26

📅 Week of: April 19, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas

🏛️ This Week in Washington County

No county meetings are currently scheduled for the week of April 19, 2026.

📅 Coming Up

Next Week Washington County Planning Board 🗓️ Thursday, April 30, 2026 ⏰ 5:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, 280 N. College Ave., Fayetteville

In Two Weeks County Services Committee (Quorum Court) 🗓️ Monday, May 4, 2026 ⏰ 6:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, 280 N. College Ave., Fayetteville

_________________________________________________________________

🏛️ Washington County Meetings from Last Week

The regular monthly meeting of the Washington County Quorum Court was held Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM. It was a productive and efficient meeting. 

Watch the meeting HERE.

Read the summary with time-stamps HERE.

The following items passed with approval of the full quorum court:

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.  The Quorum Court unanimously approved an ordinance requiring resolutions to be reviewed in committee before being considered by the full court. This change creates a more consistent process and ensures additional transparency and public visibility prior to final action.

We had a very small audience for this meeting, but those who spoke during public comment time, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING AND FOR BEING THERE!

_________________________________________________________________

🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records

1. Oath of Office Kristen Komander - Law Library Board.

2. Contract 2026-107 - WC and Returning Home Community Rebuilding Initiative Program (“CRI Program”).  This contract seems to set out terms, conditions, and responsibilities of the parties regarding the county’s CRI Program.  There’s no financial compensation:  “This agreement does not obligate either party to provide financial compensations unless otherwise agreed upon in a separate written amendment.”  I will try to have more information on this for next week’s update. 

3, Order Disposal of Property - April 6, 2026

📌  Gulley Ranch Appeal Documents:

4. Response by Jessica Rogers to Amended Notice of Appeal & Complaint of Gulley

5. Motion to Intervene by Jessica Rogers

6. Brief in Support of Intervention by Jessica Rogers

7. Washington County’s Response to Rogers’ Intervention (among other defenses, the county pleads affirmatively that, “...the interest of Jessica Rogers in the outcome is adequately represented by the County.”

__________________________________________________________________

👉 🔍💰 Follow the Money:

1.  Order 2026-042 - Camera Equipment for WC Sheriff Department - $98,681.14 - Equipment purchased from Sourcewell Contract No. 121024-CTL.  Order states:  “That said services are to be purchased excepting the bidding process in accordance with A.C.A. § 14-22-106(21).”

   
   

2. Information on Caterpillar Graders Removed from Inventory.

   
   

3. Nabholz Contract 2026-33a - Markham Restaurant Supply - Covid Mitigation - Original Contract Sum $206,784.00; Change Order = $3,387.00; New Contract Sum $210,151.00.

   
   

4. Contract 2026-108 Riggs Power Systems - Customer Value Agreement 3/23/26.  $22,136.00 for one year (for 13 Units).

__________________________________________________________________

📊 Washington County Jail Data Dashboard

⚖️ Detention Center Data -- Snapshot Date:  April 17, 2026

Individuals Incarcerated in WCDC: 677

Homeless/Unsheltered:   62

Average Age of People in WCDC:  38

Total Inmate Days in Jail: 126,541

Average Days in Jail: 186

Total Inmates in Jail Prior Arrests: 493

State Prisoners: 192

Federal Prisoners: 88

🔎 Public Data Resources

Detailed reports are available here:

Inmate Population Analysis 4/17/26

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.

__________________________________________________________

🧾 County Bid Postings (as of 04/19/26):  

Open Bid 2026-10 Sheriff’s Office Outdoor Range Acoustic Reduction.  Bids Due:  4:00 PM, 5/4/26.  Proposals Opened 5/5/26 at 9:00 AM, 280 N. College Avenue, Suite 530, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  

Closed Bid 2026-09 Firearms for Sheriff’s Office  Bid awarded to Teeco Safety Arkansas.  Per the attached Tabulation Sheet, firearms, ammunition and accessories trade-ins = $77,962.00; 233 Block G45 Gen 6 MOS w/ Aimpoint COA (3 mags) Package:  $186,546.79; 10 Glock G45T Gen 5 MOS FX/FOF Compact 9mm w/ fixed sights (Sim Pistol) = $4,558.00; 140 - Safariland 6360 RDS ALS/SLS Level III MId Ride Duty Holster:  $31,500.00.  Total Bid (Including Trade-Ins) = $144,642.79.

You can view all closed bids here.  View all RFQs and bids [here].

___________________________________________________________

🧑‍💼Here are the Washington County Job Openings as of 04/19/26

There are several new job opportunities available - check them out and share! These include, but are not limited to, Crew Lead - Road; Two Deputy Assessors; GIS Analyst-IT; and four Operators in Road Department.

View and apply for job openings HERE.

___________________________________________________________

Thank you for staying informed and engaged in Washington County.

— Beth Coger

Justice of the Peace, District 9

Washington County Quorum Court