Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! THIS SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS NORMAL When a community member is silenced at a public meeting, every elected official and everyone in the public should be concerned. When we let it pass without objection, we make it easier for it to happen again. During public comment at Monday’s County Services meeting, Chair Lisa Ecke interrupted community member Bryson Austin, cut off his microphone, and adjourned the meeting while he was still trying to speak....

Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! First, I am sad to share that Friday, September 18, was Human Resources Director Jessica Bennett’s last day with Washington County. Her kindness, knowledge, and expertise will be greatly missed. I wish Ms. Bennett all the best in her next endeavor. Our county is better for her service, and we will feel her absence. A good election starts with informed voters. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Research and Extension...

Welcome to this week’s Washington County Update! It was a good week in Washington County for getting things done: Last fall, a constituent asked me why Washington County did not send taxpayers email reminders when property taxes were coming due, kind of similar to the payment reminders many of us receive from credit card companies and other businesses. I took the suggestion to Washington County Tax Collector Angela Wood. She was receptive, listened carefully, and began exploring how her...