JP Coger's Washington County UPdate 6/21/26

🏛️ This Week in Washington County, Arkansas 6/21/26

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🏆 Washington County Road Department Receives National Achievement Award

Before diving into this week's county business, I want to recognize an accomplishment that deserves attention.  Our Washington County employees are the ones who keep our doors open and the county running everyday.  

Our own Washington County Road Department has received a 2026 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its Road Forge Pavement Preservation Program, a recognition awarded to “innovative county programs that demonstrate measurable results and benefits to the public.”

According to the award submission page:

“Washington County implemented an innovative “safety seal” process to reduce dust, secure loose aggregate and improve the appearance and safety of chip-sealed roads while extending pavement life in a rapidly growing region. 

The initiative was designed to serve local residents, daily commuters (approximately 2,000 ADT on treated roads), and taxpayers who expect cost-effective infrastructure solutions with minimal disruption. 

As a result, public complaints dropped to zero, roadway visibility and durability improved, and the County established a new pavement preservation standard that supports long-term growth and economic development.”

Congratulations to the employees of the Washington County Road Department and everyone involved in developing and implementing this program. It is always encouraging to see the hard work of county employees recognized.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY:

📅 Washington County Quorum Court Finance & Budget Committee meets for a Special Meeting, Thursday, June 25, 2026 • 6:00 PM - Read agenda HERE. 

This meeting will be live-streamed on the County’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar 

As Washington County begins planning for the 2027 budget, Comptroller Paul Sherman will present an overview of the county's budget process to the Quorum Court. This meeting offers an excellent opportunity for both elected officials and citizens to better understand how county finances are managed and how spending priorities are established. Since the budget determines how your tax dollars are allocated, I encourage the public to take an active interest in the discussion and planning process. 

There will be a twelve-minute public comment period with a three-minute limit for each individual to comment on items on the agenda or other items.

↪ County Services Committee meets Monday 6/29/26, 6:00 PM.  More on that next week.

↪ Special Quorum Court meeting Tuesday 6/30/26, 6:00 PM.  Agenda includes two Conditional Use Permit Appeals:

• Fox Hunter Landing CUP - Staff Report & Application

• HS Studios CUP - Staff Report & Application

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WASHINGTON COUNTY MEETINGS FROM LAST WEEK:

The regular monthly meeting of the Washington County Quorum Court was Thursday, 6/18/26, for what turned out to be another short meeting.  Watch the meeting HERE.

Read Outline and Summary HERE

Below are some highlights, but read the Summary above and watch the meeting for full details:

✔ Social Work Coordinator Grant Approved

The Quorum Court approved an ordinance appropriating an $81,000 grant from the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation to create a Social Work Coordinator position within the Washington County Public Defender's Office. The position will be fully funded by the grant for one year and will help connect clients to services, improve communication, assist with court appearance compliance, and provide supervision and coordination for social work interns.  JPs Lisa Ecke and David Wilson voted “No.”  JP Rivera Lopez was absent.  All other JPs voted “Yes.”

✔ Employee Insurance Fund Receives $2 Million Transfer

The Court unanimously approved a transfer of $2 million from General Fund reserves to the Employee Insurance Fund to address rising claims costs and help ensure the continued stability of employee health benefits.

✔ Human Resources Position Approved

The Court approved funding for an additional HR Generalist position after Human Resources Director Jessica Bennett explained that her department is struggling to keep up with increasing workloads, employee benefits administration, and upcoming budget and open enrollment responsibilities.

⏳ PACE Ordinance Delayed Again

An effort to advance the proposed Arkansas PACE (Property Assessed Capital Expenditure) Improvement District ordinance to a final vote failed. The ordinance remains on second reading and is expected to return next month.

⏳ Genesis Ranch CUP Delayed

A motion to advance the Genesis Ranch Conditional Use Permit to a final vote also failed. The matter remains on second reading and is scheduled to return to the Quorum Court in July.

✔ Skelton CUP Approved

The Court unanimously approved the Skelton Conditional Use Permit for a small wholesale lumber business after hearing from Planning Director Dr. Sam Ata and receiving answers to questions regarding septic requirements, future expansion, and site operations.

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📊 Washington County Jail Data Dashboard

⚖️ Detention Center Data

Snapshot Date:  June 20, 2026

Individuals Incarcerated in WCDC: 707

Homeless/Unsheltered:   70  

ADC Committed: 152

Courtesy Contract Hold:  90

Failure to Appear: 101

Hold Other Department: 216

🔎 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 06/21/26):  

ACTIVE BIDS:  

Bid 2026-13 - High-Density Mobile Shelving System - Washington County Detention Center - Covid Mitigation Project - Bids due:  4:00 PM, June 22, 2026; Bids Opened:  6/23/26 at 9:00 AM.  These shelves and other items were originally covered under the $20+M jail expansion funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars; however, because of cuts and cost overruns, the sheriff asked for an additional $475,000 in his 2026 budget to cover omitted items.  When you hear the county judge say the CMP came in “early and under budget,” you should ask questions because that did not happen.

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

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🧑‍💼Here are the Washington County Job Openings as of 06/21/26

There is a new posting for Youth Development Supervisor at the Juvenile Detention Center.  Please share with people you think might be interested.

Job	Type	Application Deadline	Salary
Adult Detention Officer (4599040)	Full Time	Open Until Filled	$21.91 / HR
Deputy First Class - Patrol (Must currently be a Certified Law Enforcement Officer) (4640865)	Full Time	Open Until Filled	24.38 - 26.86/hr
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (0416.001)	Full Time	Open Until Filled	$76,606.40 - $84,448
Election Poll Worker	Temporary	Open Until Filled	14/Hr
GIS Analyst-IT (0115015)	Full Time	Open Until Filled	$58697.60-$64708.80
Juvenile Detention Officer (0444030)	Full Time	Open Until Filled	$21.25 - $23.42/hr
Youth Development Supervisor 0444020	Full Time	Open Until Filled	$21.91 - $24.14/hr

View and apply for job openings HERE. Please share this list! ___________________________________________________________

— Beth Coger

Justice of the Peace, District 9

Washington County Quorum Court