→ I want to thank Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for allowing Attorney Steve Zega and me to teach a class last Tuesday on County Government in Arkansas with a focus on Washington County. Thanks to all the attendees and all your kind words and encouragement.
→ Thank you to the University of Arkansas Journalism Department who hosted a panel discussion Wednesday on the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act where I was a panelist. It was great to speak to all the young people about the FOIA and how important it is.
→ A big thank you to Leadership Fayetteville for inviting me and City Council Member Sarah Moore to speak to their group Thursday morning. We talked about county and city government issues.
→ MONDAY, 10/14/24, 8:30 AM, “GROUNDBREAKING AND BLESSING CEREMONY” NEW EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, 2462 BRINK DRIVE, FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS.
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THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS IMPORTANT LINKS:
Link to “Easy Read” STEP Plan. Budget Control Requests. Quorum Court Budget Discussion 9/10/24.
2025 Budget “Talking Points” as shared with all JPs.
Links to Individual CUP Application/Ordinances.
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WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/13/24.
🌟 The Washington County Quorum Court meets Thursday, 10/17/24, at 6:00 PM, Washington County Courthouse, for its regular monthly meeting. This is an in-person meeting only. The meeting will live-streamed on the County’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
If you’re able, please attend this meeting. Here’s the agenda. Some items to highlight:
The Judge’s Report (Item 7.1) I’ve never seen so many discarded items on one report, and from mostly one office. Looks like the sheriff’s office is doing some fall cleaning.
Consent Agenda (Item 9) Five appropriation ordinances.
Item 11. ORDINANCE RATIFYING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR NWA FLEX SPACE PROJECT. This CUP was approved by the Planning Board 9/26/24 (6 members voted in favor 0 voted against). Click on the link for detailed information. This property is located at 20323 E Hwy 412, Springdale, Arkansas.
Item 12. ORDINANCE RATIFYING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH PROJECT. This CUP was also approved by the Planning Board 9/26/24 (6 in favor and 0 against). Click the link for more information. This property is located at 14680 Union Star WC 224, West Fork, AR 72774.
Here’s where you can watch the 9/26/24 Planning Board meeting to hear more about the above two projects: https://www.youtube.com/live/XXLtFF24hA4?si=qk9E6nIdLLWFrFNW
Item 13. AN ORDINANCE DENYING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE RED HAWK PROJECT. The Red Hawk Project starts on page 28 of the attached Planning Board agenda. This property is located at 10637 SE Campbell Rd, WC 63, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Applicant is John Ogle (owner: Lori Devecsery). This project is for 61.77 acres +/-. A “Cease and Desist Letter” was sent to Ms. Devecsery on 5/7/24. Applicant is requesting a CUP to utilize 5 acres on their 61.77 acre parcel to store Hogbox Containers. (The original request was for 14 acres). These box trailers will be 40-51’ in length. As of the date of the Planning Board meeting, staff had received fourteen (14) complaints opposing the project. The Red Hawk discussion starts at 13:55 in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xRoR8QeA10&t=2s
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🌟 NEW ZONING LAWS: It’s not on the county’s calendar yet, but it looks like the next time this ordinance will be heard is Monday, 11/4/24, 6:00 PM, at the next County Services meeting. I’ll confirm that before next week’s report.
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🌟 THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK IN WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
The Washington County Quorum Court Finance & Budget Committee met Tuesday 10/8//24. You can watch the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/aYJpVjqhyEA?si=KPdPX8kqtqlpibRv
🌟 HERE ARE LINKS TO 2025 BUDGET DOCUMENTS:
Washington County’s 2025 Proposed Budget (with STEP Plan). Link to “Easy Read” STEP Plan. Budget Control Requests. Quorum Court Budget Discussion 9/10/24.
Item 6.6 is the 2025 Proposed Budget (without STEP Plan).
2025 Budget “Talking Points” as shared with all JPs.
There are links at the bottom of the spreadsheet with departmental budgets and other information. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. The budget as proposed is a huge increase from 2024.
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🌟 DETENTION CENTER INFORMATION 10/12/24
As of 10/11/24, there are at least 731 people locked away in our Washington County Detention Center. Most of those are pretrial - meaning they’ve been arrested and/or charged, but have not been found guilty. 79 of those people are listed as being homeless. The unsheltered population consists mostly of young people in their 20s, 30s or 40s, up to 50.
Here’s the link to the Detailed Charge Report:
READ AND STUDY THE 2020 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSESSMENT STUDY PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS HERE. READ AND LEARN WHY WE DO NOT NEED TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON JAIL EXPANSIONS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE!
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COUNTY BID POSTINGS 10/13/24
🌟 No new bid/RFP postings this week. Here’s the link to current RFQs and bids:
https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-f-z/purchasing/bids-proposals-4260
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COUNTY JOB OPENINGS THIS WEEK (10/624)
Here’s a link to the current job postings:
https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-f-z/human-resources/job-postings
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🌟 WANT TO BECOME INVOLVED?🌟
ATTEND AS MANY MEETINGS OF THE QUORUM COURT AND ITS SUBCOMMITTEES AS YOU CAN. CHECK MY WEBSITE WWW.BETHCOGER.COM FOR DATES AND TIMES.
CONTACT JUDGE DEAKINS AND TELL HIM YOU WANT OUR CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT TO REOPEN AND ASK HIM TO GET TO WORK ON FINDING ANOTHER VENDOR BECAUSE WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.
Continue to ask Judge Deakins to appoint members to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee and get that group up and running! This is too important. If you haven’t called, please do so, or send email, or go by the courthouse and speak to the judge in person. WHAT’S NEXT? WHY WON’T JUDGE DEAKINS APPOINT MEMBERS AND ACTIVATE THIS COMMITTEE AND LET IT GET TO WORK? ASK HIM.
Contact your JP and set up a time to meet them for coffee or just to get together. Become a regular voice in their ear and urge them to support criminal justice reform and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. That’s how I got started advocating to the court back in 2019. CAN YOU TAKE AN HOUR OR TWO AND MEET WITH YOUR JP AND SHARE YOUR CONCERNS OR COMMENTS, OR WHATEVER YOUR THOUGHTS ARE.
Share this Newsletter with your friends and neighbors!
Write letters to the editor. letters@nwadg.com
Do you have a court date in Benton or Washington County? Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition (AJRC) has a program to train volunteers to offer practical, procedural, and emotional support during your court hearing. From a reassuring check-in before your court date, to standing by your side on the day of court. Everyone deserves to be heard, supported, and understood.
To request a Court Support Volunteer, please fill out the Courtside Support Request Form. Questions? Concerns? Reach out to us at arkansasjusticereform@gmail.org.
To become a volunteer, contact AJRC at 479-345-1150 or the above email. They provide training that will help make you become a great Court Support Volunteer.
Here’s how you can contact your county officials. We need to hear from you!!
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