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

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I needed a photo for this week’s newsletter—and this one felt too good not to share.


This is my dog, Louie, who discovered a very real strawberry cake sitting in the street during our morning walk. He was quite determined… but ultimately unsuccessful.


Before someone points out that this is unprofessional to share in my newsletter, I do not care.








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Some of the most consequential decisions affecting property rights in Washington County happen at the Planning Board level—often with limited public attention. This week’s agenda includes proposals that will influence land use, development patterns, and neighboring properties. These decisions deserve scrutiny. I encourage you to review the agenda items below and share them with anyone whose property or community may be affected. Awareness and engagement are key to ensuring these decisions are made thoughtfully and transparently.


🏛️ This Week in Washington County


🏗️ Washington County Planning Board – April 30, 2026.  Read Agenda HERE.


The Washington County Planning Board will meet Thursday, April 30 at 5:00 PM in the Quorum Court Room. The agenda includes several Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) and major residential subdivision proposals across the county.


📍 Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Requests


Three CUPs are scheduled for consideration.  Click on each link to view staff report and more information (these files are huge, so give a few moments to download):


  • HS Studios - 2312 N. Fox Trail, Fayetteville 72703 (Autumn View Subdivision)  Proposal for a commercial music/teaching studio on approximately 5 acres.


  • Genesis Ranch - 14938 Greasy Valley Road, Prairie Grove, Arkansas 72753. Applicant is requesting a CUP to develop and operate Genesis Ranch, a nonprofit, faith-based residential treatment program for adolescent girls  Will accommodate up to sixteen (16) residents, as well as an equine barn/program facility.


  •  Fox Hunter Landing - 3790 E. Fox Hunter Rd (WC 75), Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701.  Applicant is requesting a CUP to construct and operate three (3) commercial flex-space buildings on 2.25 acres. Five (5) employees maximum per business.



🏡 Residential Development Proposals


Several subdivisions are moving forward, representing significant rural growth:


  • Bethel Estates - Part 1; Part 2; and Part 3 - 12899 Bethel Blacktop Rd (WC 62), Farmington, Arkansas 72730.   Preliminary request to create 13 new estate-sized lots, ranging from 2.02 to 9.92 acres in size.  42.50 acres in total.  Located South of the intersection of Bethel Blacktop Road and Bethel Oaks Drive.


  • The Reserve at Wildcat Creek - Part 1; Part 2 and Part 3 -  2954 Wright Avenue (WC 872), Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704.  Applicant is seeking preliminary subdivision approval to allow the development of thirty-eight (38) lots, with thirty-seven (37) buildable and one (1) non-buildable for detention/common area.  Lots range from 1.0 to 4.68 acres.  Subdivision is 80.27 acres in total, located near the intersection of Strawberry Plant Road (WC 873) and Wright Avenue (WC 872).


  • Allen Meadow Estates - 18664 Harmon Road, WC 31, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704.  Applicant is requesting final subdivision approval to split a 54.80 - acre parcel into 29 lots, ranging in size from 1.00 acre to 4.28 acres.  Each lot will be serviced by individual septic systems.


  • Musteen Road / Autumn Ridge - Part 1; Part 2 and Part 3 - 408 Musteen Road WC 855, Springdale, Arkansas 72762.  Final subdivision will have 39 lots (36 buildable and 3 non-buildable for detention and common area).  Lot sizes from 1.0 acre to 1.99 acres.  The subdivision is 40.63 acres in total located near the intersection of Musteen Road (WC 855) and Story Lane (WC 3805).


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Next Week County Services Committee (Quorum Court)

 

🗓️ Monday, May 4, 2026 ⏰ 6:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, 280 N. College Ave., Fayetteville


The agenda for this meeting will be published Wednesday 4/29/26 and I will have details on that in next week’s update.


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🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records


  1. Contract 2026-107 - WC and Returning Home Community Rebuilding Initiative Program (“CRI Program”).  Remember last week when I said I would have more information on this for you this week?  Well, I do not.  I did, however, write the county judge and county attorney asking questions about this, but to date, no response or even acknowledgment of my inquiries.  


  2. O’Brien Rock v. Washington County Etal - Notice of Appeal

 

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👉 🔍💰 Follow the Money:


  1. Former Women’s Prison a/k/a “Old Jail” To date, I have documented $512,978.47 in county expenditures (2025–2026) for repairs and renovations at the former women’s prison (there could be more). The County Judge has made clear his intent to expand the Community Rebuilding Initiative (CRI) into this facility—an approach that will require substantial additional investment.


Based on the current trajectory, this expansion is likely to function as a de facto jail expansion, increasing capacity under a different label. At a time when more effective, lower-cost justice reform strategies are available, this level of spending raises serious concerns about priorities, transparency, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.


  1.  Contract 2026-112 - Heartland Business Systems and Washington County Sheriff’s Office - to upgrade the existing Unified Communications Software and Hardware Platforms to the last version 1.5.x release.  This contract is for three years at a total of $12,088.39 per year plus “Services” of $4,000.00 = $40,265.17.


3. Contract 2026-111 - Cellebrite and Washington County -  Per its website, Cellebrite produces mobile forensic device examination software.  It extracts comprehensive evidence from mobile devices, and asserts it accelerates investigations by 58%.  Amount:  $16,234.22.


  1. Contract 2026-110 - Johnson Controls and Washington County - for VRF fan coil replacements and related services to be performed at the Historic Courthouse.  Amount $31,500.00.


  2. Contract 2026-109 - Multi-Craft & Washington County Detention Center, 110 N. College Old Jail - for electrical grounding extension and related work in the amount of $30,800.00.

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📊 Washington County Jail Data Dashboard


⚖️ Detention Center Data

Snapshot Date:  April 26, 2026


Individuals Incarcerated in WCDC: 677


Homeless/Unsheltered:  65  

 

🔎 Public Data Resources


Detailed reports are available here:


  • 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 04/26/26):  


ACTIVE BIDS: 


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.  


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

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There are several new job opportunities available - check them out and share! 

View and apply for job openings HERE.

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