Quorum Court - Regular Meeting

Will the county services committee meeting please come to order? Thank you. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This evening's prayer and pledge will be led by Justice Shandra Washington. Thank you. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight in humility and gratitude. We come thanking you for the privilege of serving Washington County. Lord, let a spirit of compassion and stewardship guide every decision that we make in this meeting. I ask you to bless every leader in this county with clarity, cooperation, and conviction to lead with integrity. I thank you that our discussions tonight are fruitful, our plans are equitable, and our outcomes bring hope and help to every household in Washington County. Lord, we ask that you bless this county, bless our communities, and bless the families who depend on the decisions that are made here today. And I thank you that our service is marked by righteousness, compassion, and unity. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.

I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Justice Washington. Do I have a motion for any preliminary? I have first Justice Bruns. Thank you. Um, yes, ma'am. I'd like to add ordinance number 2025 and what was the last four? Pardon? What was the last four numbers you gave me on that? No, that would be 13.1 on the agenda. Okay, that's where it would be placed.

If that's what you would like to make a motion on, I'd like to ask that we add that to the agenda. Second. Will you Did you pass one out for everybody? I do have one. I you know I apologize but I did pass them out last time and uh somebody come and pick them all up and took off with them. So um does everybody have one?

No. Okay. Thank you. Glad you can make it. Justice Dennis now that everybody has a copy of this proposed amendment. Do I have a second? I have a second by Justice Koger. All in favor say I.

I. All oppose say no. That ordinance has been added to the agenda as item 13.1. Second. I have justice lines. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I need to amend item nine. Um, instead of item 202566, what was handed out at the table you guys should have is 2025 066.2.

Does everybody have a copy of No.

Check on the back. [clears throat]

Okay. Anybody else? Everybody has their copy. So, I have Pardon. No, it's it's a new one up at the top. It should have a dot two at the end of it. Correct.

That one will replace 9.1. So, this will be 9.1. I have a motion. Do I have a second? I have a second. All in favor? I. All opposed? Justice Stafford. Thank you. Uh Madam Chair, do you uh need a motion to add the Northwest Arkansas Council presentation to the agenda? Yes, ma'am. I do. I move to uh add that presentation to the agenda by the Northwest Arkansas Council. Second.

I have a motion and a second and that will be behind the Ozark Go question and answer from Chris Holloway. on the agenda. We'll just put that as 18, I mean 8.1. Oh, we need a vote on it. All in favor? All oppose? That motion carries. Now, I need a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. amended. I have a motion by Justice Lines, a second by Justice um

Denny I was going to say, thank you. All in favor say I. I.

All opposed. That's what happens when you know each other by your first name so well. The the agenda has been adopted. Next on the agenda, we have item number four, and that's the chairman's report. Justices, this is a report to impart information for the purpose of ga gaining knowledge regarding process, decorum, and vetting. Processes and decorum. It is considered proper to quorum to communicate with the committee chairman any item such as an ordinance, resolution or presentation by an invited guest guest to be placed on the agenda. The chairman reviews the item and confers with the county attorney for proper vetting. The item is then submitted to the court court coordinator for proper sequence of business and public publishing. This method ensures transparency and keeps the public informed. I will point out that Justice Koger and Justice Lopez and others have respectfully followed this process. Last week, we received an email with a proposed ordinance for our review. I questioned whether the ordinance was properly vetted, and if so, by whom. They replied, "What do you mean by vetted?" My reply, "I'm referring to subjecting the ordinance to legal evaluation or approval." My reply was followed by another email

disputing the need for vetting. It is my objective to answer why, and an an ordinance needs to be vetted with the following information. In Arkansas, an ordinance must be vetted to ensure it's legal, constitutional, reasonable, and procedurally sound before it can become enforcable law. The vetting process serves critical purposes. Number one, legal compliance. vetted ensures the proper ordinances align with state law and the Arkansas Constitution. Arkansas local government cannot pass ordinances that extend or conflict with state law unless explicitly permitted. A county judge typically reviews the ordinances to confirm it falls within the county's legal authority. Number two, constitutional scrutiny. The process guards against the passage of laws that violate constitutional rights. Courts have struck down local ordinances in Arkansas that were plainly unconstitutional. Number three, procedural integrity. Arkansas law requires specific procedures for passing ordinances, such as being read fully and distinctly on three different days unless this rule is suspended by twothirds vote and requiring a majority vote of the governing body. Vetting confirms these steps have been followed correctly, preventing a later legal challenge that could in invalidate the ordinance.

Number four, reasonable reasonleness and non-discrimination. Ordinances must be reasonable, not oppressive, and non-discriminatory. The review process helps ensure that new regulations apply fairly, and do not unduly restrain lawful trade or target specific groups. Avoiding litigation. Number five, proper vetting helps counties avoid costly lawsuits. An ordinance founded to be unconstitutional or improperly passed can be invalidated by a court, creating legal and administrative problems for the local government. Number six, county judge review. In many cases, the past ordinance is subject to the approval by the county judge who has the power to veto it within a specific time frame. For the county, it is seven days. This executive review acts as a final check on the proposed law. In essence, vetting is a critical safeguard in the legislative process, ensuring that local laws are effective, enforcable, and just. Seeing that there was no reply to my e my email questioning vetting, I submitted the ordinance to the AAC attorney, Mark Whitmore, as well as our county attorney, Mr. Lester, for legal review. I will now defer to County Attorney Lester for his and Mark Whitmore's legal opinion. County Attorney Lester. So, this was on there. There was an

ordinance circulated about shared services by multiple departments. And I've I I gave everyone a copy of the email that Mark Whitmore sent out as you can see and I'm happy to answer any questions, but JP Heck asked for my opinion on it and as soon as I saw it, this is not a new territory for the county. Um, it violates the constitution and state law and so there's certain separation of powers. there are certain powers reserved to certain officials and certain branches. Um, and the corn court can't undo that. Those state laws can't be undone. The constitution can't be undone by vote of the quorum court. And so with that being said, [clears throat] there is no way under Arkansas law for there to be a shared services. Uh if if as you read the law, you'll you'll see that it's pretty clear that there are uh departments and certain functions that each elected official has. Uh the county judge is the CEO of the county, has oversight of certain things such as all county property, both real and personal property is all within the purview of the county judge. And that's straight from the Arkansas Constitution, amendment 55. And so, um when we get to talking about trying to do these this some sort of like a overview of a shared group of shared services. It's it won't it won't stand up to a legal challenge. And so my job as county attorney is to let you know that so that you can make a more informed decision when ordinances like that come before you on what you do. Now, I can't vote for you. I can't make you do anything, but I'm, you know, here to give you legal advice on on those sorts of things. And so I'm happy to answer any questions anybody has. Um, regarding that

I have JP Burns. Mr. Lester, what um uh is there any way to have a advisory committee on something like that? No, not that I'm a advisory committee on I mean you can have a committee. Um but it wouldn't be a committee that could make any kind of formal decision. Okay. So uh let's say the core court couldn't have a committee.

The corn court is explicitly barred from anything that deals with the hiring or firing promotion or demotion of county employees. Okay. Well, as a legislative branch, you are that is explicit that you can't have that oversight. So, could uh the other like all the directors, they can't become an advisory committee uh for the judge.

Yeah. If the judge wanted his directors to be some sort of advisory committee, I believe you would find that that's kind of how it operates. The county judge meets with his directors and has as long as I've been here to discuss various issues within various departments. His directors are not the elected officials, the other elected officials. Correct. Okay. Why why would why would he not get the uh advice of other elected officials if they're going to fall under the preview of having to have that person work with them

because that's one of the powers of the county judge under state law and the constitution. The judge serves as the chief executive officer. No other executive branch officer serves in that. So they wouldn't have the opportunity to to have an advisory committee involving those people. That's against the constitutional law according to you. If the judge wanted to to get the elected other executive- elected officials and and discuss things that that's fine, but they can't make a decision. They can't usurp the power of the county judge. I never said anything about making

or a group of elected officials can't advise the county assessor or the county collector or the sheriff on how to do their jobs. They're they each answer to the people and their their job duties are defined by the constitution and by state law. Now, what the core court can do is they can change the form of government up. And so there's a lot of counties where you don't have a county collector and a county sheriff. You have a collector/sheriff or a circuit clerk and a county clerk. A lot of counties, small counties have one clerk who serves as both. And the core court can certainly elect those forms of government if it chooses. But that's about the only way to consolidate things like that.

I never asked to consolidate. My question was, could they no become an advisory committee if the judge so chose to let them do that? That's up to him. If the Yeah. The judge could allow them to to give to be an advisory committee. The judge isn't under there'd be no they have no authority to have any uh make any decision any enforcable decision. I got you. I know. But advisory. Yeah. I mean if the judge wanted to do that. Sure. Okay. So advisory is not making decisions. Would you not agree? That's correct.

Okay. That's what I said. And my question was if if and you said they could do that. My my other question to you would be why would they not do that? It just makes everybody stronger. I don't know. Okay. Probably the same reason that you know I get that a lot up here. I ask questions all the time and I get them all the time.

Well, you're asking me my opinion on something that I'm not the county judge. I don't have the authority to make a decision. It's an it's an opinion about how elected officials work together. However they want to. Well, why would they not want to? That's up to them to decide. If I may, where we we've got an agenda that we need to go to. We would like to engage in conversation with you, but also I encourage you to read your Justice of the Peace manual set out by the AAC that specifically details the constitutional duties of each elected official. I think that would be very helpful. We need to move on with the agenda if if you don't mind, please, sir. Okay.

Thank you. I have Justice um lines. I don't have a question on that. I It [clears throat] may have just been a slip, but I want make sure it's clarified. Earlier in the chair's description, she talked about suspending the rules by majority vote. I believe it takes twothirds vote to suspend the rules. Is that correct? That's what I said. Twothirds vote. I'm so I'm sorry. I heard majority. Thank you. No. Well, then it takes the majority to vote on that.

Let me reread it. Arkansas law requires specific procedures for passing ordinances such as being fully read and distinctly on three different days unless this rule is suspended by a twothirds vote and requiring a majority vote of the governing party. Vetting confirms these steps have followed have been followed correctly. where um a lot of people don't know this and when I read it just to let other constituents know what they didn't even know that that was a process. We know it but they don't and they were appreciative of the information and the knowledge that's being paired. Let me also state at this point I invite those who desire to roll up their sleeves and get work to join us on the court who are already working hard on behalf of our wonderful citizens here in Washington County. With it said, let's just continue on with the agenda. Next on

I don't see it. I'm sorry. I have Justice Koger. My apologies. It's okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just like to clarify something that you said and uh make sure I understand. I am happy and I do like you said I submit mine to the chair and and to the county attorney but I just want to be clear that the chair and the county attorney do not get to decide what legislation a JP brings forward. No, no, no, no. Absolutely not. It is a you know you ask it's to quorum. Thank you. And I read it and I pass it on for vetting. I just I'm not the one who vets it. Thank you. It's it's legal authority. Does that answer your question? That answers my question.

Okay. Thank you, ma'am. All right. Next on the agenda is the juvenile detention director Tensley going to give us the monthly report on the JDC. Good evening, sir.

Uh good evening, Madam Chair, and uh good good evening to the county service committee members. Uh, I'd like to share our juvenile detention center monthly report for October of 2025. This report covers 30 days of data. In October, we had 27 intakes. The average length of stay was about 13.66 days. Our average daily population came out to just over 930 residents. The most common charge for intakes was domestic battery third misdemeanor at five cases. Of the 27 intakes from Washington and Madison counties, 15 intakes were from division 8 and 12 intakes were from division 3. We had 10 transports during the month of October. Six were done by the JDC, two were done by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and two were done by a parent or guardian. That concludes the October report. Are there any questions that I can answer at this time?

You're very thorough. No questions. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. You all have a good night.

Have a good evening. Next, we have the sheriff's office report from Sheriff Cantrell. Good evening, sir. Good evening, Madam Chair. Our detention and enforcement report should be in your packet um on 6.1. The uh calls for service for our enforcement divisions up a little bit, but nothing that alarms us at this point. Uh detention intakes are running similar to this same time period as last year. Uh the prison uh population at the state level is is full. So they're not taking as many detainees. There's about 2,000 in county jail back up across the state right now waiting for a prison bed. 164 of those are in our jail. Uh you can see the numbers there on the report. Nothing uh that we don't uh expect. We we do appreciate the judges continuing to work to help with our pre-trial numbers and those numbers are down nearly a hundred from this period last year, but as you can see our ADC numbers are up. So, more detainees are getting to court, but uh a number of those are are going waiting on a bed down at prison. So, you that's our report and uh I'm certainly there'll be some questions and I'll be happy to try to answer those.

Do we have any questions for Sheriff Cantrol? I have Justice Koger. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have my regular uh questions. Uh, how many have been diagnosed with COVID? Uh, we didn't have any in the month of October. So, uh, none.tunate to report that. So, no one's in quarantine. No one's in quarantine currently. How many were sleeping on the floor last night? We want to try to ch change that term. uh sleeping on the floor uh seems uh because some choose to sleep outside their bunk, but uh those that are uh not assigned a bunk or 133 this morning. Okay. When you say outside the bunk, that means they're sleeping on the little thin mattress.

Well, it's not a little thin mattress. It's it's a mattress about this thick. So, I had a sample I had a representative sample and I just forgot to bring it. I was going to pass that around. Okay. And uh how many 309 today? Uh 20 males and 23 females. How many? 20 males and 23 females for a total of 43 309's. Okay. And how many women are in the jail today? Many women uh 123 this morning. And how many federal prisoners? 67 this morning. Okay. And um how many of those were immigration? One.

One. Okay. Okay. Last month you said that uh immigration moves the people out pretty quickly and to processing facility in Louisiana, but they've been running maybe 6 to 8 to 10 typically every day. Would you say that's still true for that? Uh yeah, but this morning, you know, that they they bring their uh transport van up and and move them out pretty quickly. And this morning over the weekend, we just had one. So just one just just one over the weekend and today that's all I have. Thank you. I have it. Um Justice Lming

Jay, could [clears throat] you tell me how that 67, how many of them federal prisoners would be from Washington County or Benston County or Madison County? Uh the the vast majority of them are are local or uh they may not live locally, but they committed a crime locally. uh 30 35 of those 66 uh have also have state charges or or local charges in addition to their federal charges. So So it'd be easy to say that them them folks are from our area. Yes. Yeah. They're they've committed crimes in our area [clears throat] and our because I'm getting a ton of calls about selling our beds, but we're not we these are our people, too.

Correct. Yes. They're they're they're committed crimes locally. Do we have any other questions regarding this report? Thank you. Thank you. I'll leave the mic on for uh Miss Gretchen. Thank you. Next on um the agenda is human trafficking awareness by Miss Gretchen Smeltzer from Into the Light. Good evening and I am so honored and pleased to finally have you address the court on the need to bring awareness to child sex trafficking.

I was going to introduce you, but you just go right ahead and do what you do best.

Okay. Justice Eky, thank you so much for the invitation and it's an honor to be with all of you this evening and share about Into the Light. I do have a presentation. Can I share that? While she's doing that, I will say that um Into the Light is hoping to bring in an end to child sex trafficking and bringing hope to the survivors. into the light's mission is to provide refuge and restoration for minor survivors of sexual exploitation and to bring awareness and education to the issues of human sex trafficking. When I mentioned human sex trafficking about five years ago, people were like, "Not in my neighborhood." not realizing that Springdale is the highest offender of sex of children being trafficked in the state. And when I share that with our neighbors and our friends, they are just overwhelmed and they thank me for bringing this information to them even though it's hard to hear of what's going on to these vulnerable, precious children. But I thank God for the work that uh Gretchen Smeltzer is doing and her team all across the state. They're working with the FBI and hopefully soon we are going to be partnering with Into the Light and getting trained for our sheriff. Go ahead. Um, thank you. My presentation's a little longer. I'm going to go through it pretty quick, so don't worry when you see all those slides. Um, so since 2015, Into Light has been um present here in

Washington County providing services to victims of trafficking. Um, we launched in 2015 and initially when we first began providing services, we were in the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center. And the reason why we uh targeted going to a juvenile detention center to provide services first is because children that are extremely risk for being trafficked or kids that come from unstable homes. they have the the number one indicator of being that someone is being trafficked is someone who runs four or more times in a six-month period. So, children that are run running away frequently and maybe have um other connections to, you know, other children that may be admitting a crime or they're committing a crime and then also um if they're connected to the child welfare system. And so we went there because it we knew that children that were very vulnerable to being trafficked would be in there. And the first time we shared the prevention presentation that we share, which is a multimedia presentation to educate youth on the risk of trafficking, what it is, how to understand it, the tactics traffickers use, grooming, all of those things. Both of the girls that we shared with disclosed trafficking. That was 2015. And it wasn't long before we got a call from Washington County Juvenile Services and the detention center asking us to come and bring that same prevention program. So we can quickly came uh started uh working out of the uh Washington County Juvenile Detention Center. And in November of 2015, we had a young lady share and disclose about being trafficked. and by 2000 by May of 2016 um her trafficker was convicted uh federally convicted and went to prison. And so our partnerships with the juvenile detention center, the juvenile justice system, the juvenile court, DCFS,

um local law enforcement, state law enforcement, federal law enforcement are so essential for us at in our work that we do at Intelite. So, if you want to go to the next slide. Um, I'm going to share this real briefly. A lot of times we think trafficking looks like one thing. We have an idea and understanding what trafficking looks like in our minds. Maybe someone told us, maybe we watched a movie, maybe it was um just something that we believe and understand about trafficking. We just we thought it was this one thing. And as you can see in the vase, right, you might see the vase at first, but do you see the two faces? So, there's two images. There's two separate things going on in that image. And what I like to say about trafficking is a lot of times we think it's a one thing. We think it's the white van, you know, going to snatch children in the the Walmart parking lot or driving around our neighborhood when actually traffickers are in plain sight. individuals that our children often know and they're communicating with them online or maybe individuals that the children know in real life and have a relationship with and they're grooming them and connected to them in some way and it's unfortunately social media makes it really easy. So, I just wanted to share that that make sure I can't do a full presentation on understanding child trafficking or and what human trafficking is this evening, but make sure that you do all that you can to educate yourselves on what human trafficking and the reality of it is because once you see it, then you can't unsee it and then you know, if you want to go to the next slide. So these um on this list here are the um children that are most vulnerable to being trafficked. Uh children in the foster care system, children that have a had previous abuse. So typically children um that have been trafficked, 99% of them have a history of sexual

abuse. So this is something that has been common in their life, something that um their boundaries have already been skewed. um their chronic runaways are extremely vulnerable, right? Because they have uh basic needs that need to be met, right? They need food, clothing, shelter, and protection. And when children on the run, they don't have those things. And there's reasons often why they're running away. They may be running from something into something. And children with an unstable home life can be very vulnerable to this. And then the LGBTQ plus community, they may be marginalized. They may not be accepted in their home and this can make them vulnerable. And then kids with existing mental health issues, mental instability can make them vulnerable um to grooming strategies, connections um with older people, not understanding the intentions um of adults and their purposes for them. Um these are the main types of trafficking that we see here in Northwest Arkansas. familial, which would be family members that are trafficking their children. U pimp trafficking, which I think is a common thing that I think most people think of where you have an individual that's trafficking multiple individuals. They may um these children may never leave their home. They may be especially when familial trafficking is happening, but they may be sleeping in their same bed at night every night. and and a trafficker could have them go to other places um to traffic them during the day and then allow them to come home at night. There's Romeo pimps or Romeo traffickers we call them and these are individuals that use the promise of love and belonging and connection to groom and control them. And then gang control trafficking is prevalent here as well. So at its core, human trafficking is the exploitation of vulnerabilities.

We all have vulnerabilities and traffickers um and predators look to connect with those vulnerabilities and identify them and see how they can step into a child's life and um and an adult's life as well. But how they can uh step in there and where those vulnerabilities are happening um meet needs and uh exploit those vulnerabilities. So that's yeah so into the light one thing that we um love to do um tra we know that trafficking happens in relationship and healing happens in relationship. So at the core of what we do is um to let children know that they are loved and they belong that they're accepted and they're valued and they're safe and they're secure. We want to meet the needs that they have in a very healthy safe way. So we have um prevention. I talked to you about that just a minute ago. how we share a prevention program with high-risisk youth. And these are not just youth that may be engaging in some uh dangerous activity or something. These are youth that are showing all the red flags and warning signs of being trafficked, but they haven't disclosed. So we will um meet with them and uh share our prevention program with them and educate them on um tactics that individuals use to groom and exploit them and also help them identify what healthy relationships are and their need for healthy relationships and how they can go about getting their needs met in safe and healthy ways. And then we also uh do education, training and awareness and that's part of prevention. You go to the next slide. So, here's the high-risk victim criteria that our prevention program is shared with. Um, I think so often we don't realize how many children in our communities are engaging in these high-risisk activities or um and what makes them very vulnerable to being

trafficked. Do you want to go to the next one? So, we also provide 247 crisis response. Uh our team of advocates here locally are on call 247. And so when a victim has been de identified or someone who is suspected to be identified as or suspected showing indicators of signs of trafficking, our advocates are able to respond 247 and go out and work with law enforcement and DCFS and provide immediate crisis services. We also, as you can imagine, the journey of healing from trafficking is long. It doesn't happen overnight and children need continuous services and there's a lot of crisises in there in that time and so we're able to come alongside them and support them and we safety plan. And then our advocacy is long term. Um we provide case management um connection to other important resources. A huge thing is celebrating important milestones. We support them in achieving goals and teach important life skills and just mainly being consistent stable force in their life for as long as they need. This is us celebrating one of our survivors when she got her driver's license and uh her b her 18th birthday. Um this is where we get our main referrals. Our referral sources come from these main places here in locally in this community. And this is a representation of the demographics um of children um that we have served from Washington County. And these are the numbers um since 2016 that we have served. And we were looking at the numbers and how they're lower um this year. And I do think part of that is due to um really collaborative efforts here locally to identify children and getting services um sooner. Um, also I do believe there we had an

active FBI task force that was very active um in starting in uh 2020 where we um it was very engaged and we were all working really hard to um identify victims and getting vict uh trafficking cases investigated and prosecuted and um right now we're in a revamp phase of that. So hoping to build that up. Um, children that have been trafficked face complex trauma and they need specialized services and that's what our team is trained to do. Um, so I just wanted to say without um without intervention that it's costly for children and not just for the children but for our communities. It will result in more children in foster care. If you want to go back, just me go over that. Higher incarceration rates, increased mental health crisises and economic social cost to our community. Um, it will be it will it does impact our community. When intervention does not happen at an early age for these children, it's devastating on them and it's devastating for their families. So, I've heard this said many times um from older uh older teens that we have served and even adults and they were frustrated because they had um been trafficked for years and they often make this same statement. Why didn't anybody see me? Why didn't anybody intervene? So, there's touch points for identifying victims. So we h you have your youth that are at highest at risk and this is when they're these are the areas with their main places they're touching our system and I think it's so important for these systems to be educated and understand um what trafficking is and how to be able to identify it. Um it's key and that when those children are

identified those high-risk children are identified that services are able to come to them swiftly right and wrap around them and so we can disrupt the grooming process. So we can disrupt the exploitation and we can disrupt the trafficking and stop it for that child. And so this is where that rescue and intervention happens. Um and that which can lead to support where they can be connected to supportive advocates where they can get um advocacy in the court system and prosecution can happen and they can get connected to other community partners that provide also provide vital resources. So, I want to read this. This is um this is from a client that was trafficked here in Washington County from Washington County. And she um her trafficker was prosecuted here in Washington County. So, she says, "As a child, I was abandoned and rejected by my mother. I was emotionally and physically abused. I never had a father in my life. When I was 16, I met an older man who said he loved me. He said he was my boyfriend. Instead of loving me, he forced me as a child to have sex with him many with many men for his financial gain. For the last two years, I've been supported by intellect advocate. I now have two jobs and I pay for my own apartment. I'm preparing to testify against my trafficker because I never want anyone else to go through what I did. I now understand that I have immeasurable worth. I don't deserve to be used by anyone for anything. My life is changed because people care and give to Into the Light. This is also from a a client here locally. I never thought I would get away from him. It's hard to believe I get to choose what I want. I will have my G GED do GED soon. Then I will get to choose what I want to do next. It's incredible. Thank you. Thank you for all you do do to help me really live.

So our goal into light is to break that cycle and we can't do that alone. We cannot do it alone. We're a nonprofit here. Um we've recently lost significant federal funding um from as as many victim service providers also have done in our state and um we need the support of our communities to come together and to help us do this and break the cycle. Want to see if anyone has any questions for me. I would like for you to share and probably at this time um Sheriff Cantrol if you will come and just share with um Gretchen what your department and staff are going to be doing in partnering with Into the Light as far as training.

Uh yes, Madam Chair. Uh we've uh talked with Gretchen a couple of times and she's going to come and and we're going to make some little short uh training videos that we can do uh roll call or briefing and uh you know the these clues that our deputies are out looking for. They're very subtle especially with these children and they learn pretty early I think how to mask some of those uh traumas. And so we're going to try to educate our deputies uh with some of their techniques and some of their training. And then we'll make that training available to our other law enforcement partners, to our local law, city law enforcement, uh the smaller towns that may not have the opportunity to to see this kind of training. So, uh, I think that we have a chance to to make a big impact, uh, here in Washington County with some of Gretch Gretchen's work and be able to video record that and then train with because we've got a guy in the federal task force and so to use him as a one of our trainers to teach our our field deputies

and also your intake officers, they I mean, you were talking about how you want them to be able to identify somebody that's being brought to them and then that way the process can

yeah as it relates to adults that have been trafficked a lot of those are are actually uh become arrested become detainees and uh you know they if you have to have sex with 10 men a night yeah you're probably going to use drugs and you may get arrested or or they may say well you don't have to have sex with 10 men a night but you take these credit cards out and go to Walmart and buy stuff with these stolen credit cards and then we'll uh take that back and turn that in for cash. So, uh they get caught up in some fraud and some fraudulent credit card use, end up in jail, but uh very reluctant to speak to law enforcement. So, we want to uh be as educated as we can to be able to identify those victims uh that that have been brought into the detention center. Those are things that we're hoping to do

that when we met and with when I met with Sheriff Cantrol and his staff, they were great about brainstorming. What can we do? Um Gretchen wasn't able to make the meeting and it was a passion of mine to get this done. What do we need to do? Gretchen is a certified trainer to train this and to train um law enforcement on identifying correct the the children or human trafficking. And I want to just say thank you for being open and listening and strategizing. This is a collaborative effort. How do we get what Gretchen and into the light is doing here and further the training? Um and then it was Well, she can't be there for everybody and we don't want the officers to come in on their days off or if they're leaving, you know, their shift, taking time to come in and how many sessions does she have to train? The idea came up, well, we've got a a facility. Why don't we video it? And then that way we can train the municipal um municipalities and their trainers and stamp this out a lot faster than having to come in and be trained on a personal load. So I was excited about that, getting training manuals and breaking it down to where we can be successful here in Washington County. So, Sheriff, I say I thank you, Gretch, and that y'all's partnership and willing to work with this and to hopefully put an end to this horrid, horrid situation that some of these children are in. Do we have any questions? I have Justice Dennis. One moment, please. There we go.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Miss Gretchen, thank you very much for what you're doing. Uh my first I've got three questions. Uh what are the amounts of grants that you lost? We lost uh the VOCA grant. So funding from the VOCA grant. So that was our main um or made how much uh $267,000. So $270,000. Yes. 67. But yeah, 70. That's good. 70. And then there was something else. No, that's our Yeah, that's our federal grant that we received.

So, what would how much are you looking forward from us?

Well, I I should have come prepared for that. That's a great question. I think that the cost on average to serve a child for a year, it's around $4,000 to provide victim advocacy. And I think if you think about the number of children that we're currently serving at this mo moment which is 22 um that thinking about the num you know that's a need right each of those children to serve them long term show up for them over and over again there's cost in that our advocates drive to them um they help them pro you know seek job interview you know job interviews there's so many life skills that they do with them so if you think about it from that standpoint Um, it's a great way to look at the cost of it.

So, do you do you know of any sponsors that would want to match what the county does for you? I can look into that. Yeah. Is that something you'd be interested in? Is if you had sponsors? Okay. Yes. I I think this is a very very worthy cause and I I think it's something that we should act on quickly.

Okay. And so, yes, I was hoping you'd tell us today. [laughter] U my other question, of course, this is more for just in general, I guess, but we have the emergency facility. Uh, I'm thinking that would be a great place to not only train our deputies, Washington County, but also our city deputies or sheriff chiefs and that they could get some training that they would not normally get. Uh, they could come in and and get some training because that's Washington County, too. I mean,

great minds think alike happened in small towns as well as large towns. That was what Sheriff Cantrol's first idea. We've got this brand new EEOC um EEOC emergency center. Yeah, emergency center. Why don't we use that facility? And I will say that um your training, she's not charging us. This is something that she and her group is doing and that's why she wasn't prepared to come with, you know, this is what I'm asking or any kind of funding. It was a presentation. But thank you foring bringing that up because as you know it's difficult when you lose funding.

Well, I wish I wish we could just vote vote on a resolution to find out how the how the board feels where that they know that we need to work on it fast. We'll just work on continue we'll just continue a discussion maybe at next month's meeting and have your your questions and reach out to um Gretchen and her staff into the light and if you have anybody to ask ask them what okay what they would match up to. And you also partner with churches a lot of churches don't you? Yes. Yep. Yeah. We will I will start that process. So thank you. So if your church isn't sponsoring it find out if they would. Yeah. And if you don't mind using churches, I can I can find a few for you for you to use, too.

Yeah. No, we don't mind. We're faith-based organizations, so churches are excellent partners in this work. Well, thank you for what you do and please stay in contact with us and let us know. Thank you. Appreciate that. Thank you, Justice Dennis. I have Justice Lope.

Thank you for being here and thank you for the work that you do. Um I I have a question mostly regarding uh what has changed in in regards to your work from the time that you started your work. Have you found that you know at the at the state level or even at the county level that laws and things have been more accommodating or what are your hopes for what the system would look like to better help you and what you seek to do? Yeah, you know, at the core is that we want a child to be identified early as a trafficking victim and we want swift intervention for them. So, I think from my perspective, we want that child to be seen, right, and be valued and protected. And so, it really looks like all those systems that I put up there having a lot of understanding and then a coordinated response. And I think that's really needed all across our state. Um I have seen um I'm on the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council um for the that's a partnership between the state police um the attorney general's office and um DCFS and um I'm a voting council member and we have created um a coordinated response to that but it's not fully implemented across the state you know where it doesn't happen and it really needs to happen at the county local level right where all the community partners who know have to work together every day and know each other, right? Are are doing this work um grassroots work together every day. So that's my hope is that you know and I'm going to keep doing this work. My team's going to keep doing this work no matter what if that's present or not. But um that one day we will have a you know a coordinated response throughout our state and it and it and it happens you know people can understand and see when kids are being trafficked and it's swift right.

Thank you. You're welcome. I will say that also just something different. You are working with the attorney general's office. Yep. Everybody knows you down in Little Rock. The FBI agents know um Gretchen and her group. So, there is presence across the state of what they're doing. but uh to get all the counties together and if we can help lead that effort, I'm sure the children of this county would greatly appreciate it and say thank you. Are there any other questions?

I have one. So, Sheriff, do sex traffickers have to sleep on the floor? Not on one of the pallets, just the floor itself? Well, they I think that's where they belong is on the floor. Typically, they have to be segregated because if they end up in general population, uh they're uh and the other detainees find out their charges, then we end up with vigilante justice. And so, you know, we have a duty duty to protect those. So, Do we give them a reward for doing that for us?

I vote on a reward for those that good old time justice there. Yeah, that sounds real good to me.

I have Justice Lming. I just want to say thank you and I know this is very important because I've been in the fire service for 46 years and John Luther's the EOC they the state has we've worked on a lot of this stuff for years but we need to keep hammering hard on it because it's right next door to us and it's sad when you see stuff really happen there's a lot of people don't see the things us volunteer firemen do but I'm just going to say this because I've seen it in a couple occasions And Jay probably remembers in Lincoln and Lincoln's a small community. But when you go out in a field and you find a girl hung in a tree because she was sexually abused from her family and from her neighbors and and you have to cut them down. You don't remember. You don't forget that. That's a memory in your head you'll have forever. And it's your neighbors. It's your neighbor's kids. I mean, they go to church with you. And it's sad. There's predators out there like that. And it's like Robert says, they need to be hung from a tall tree from their you know what, but but uh we need to keep hammering this down to to take care of these kids because it's very important. So, thank you.

Thank you, Justice Lming. Are there any other questions? Thank you for coming. Thank you. And um we'll continue to spread the word into the light. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on, we have Ozark goes Chris Holloway. Good evening, sir.

Good evening, chair. Thank you. I'm actually not Chris Holloway. Oh, that's him over there. Are you sure? I'm I'm pretty sure. Okay. They uh they didn't want Chris to talk, so they sent me up here. My name is Barrett Breeding from Ozarks Go Ozarks Electric. Um we were here a few months ago about a pilot project and um just back to follow up have a few questions that were sent to us but other than that um just you know at the um corn court's leisure for whatever questions you have and what we need to do um unless somebody has a question now I'll start with the previous questions

I have Justice Lemming Oops I just knocked you off I apologize there. I I don't have a lot of questions. You just need to explain this real well because [clears throat] I mean it takes a lawyer to read all this, what you what you're really after, what you really want to do. I'm here to support you and I want to help you. Okay? But I I want you to also tell us exactly what you're trying to do. Talking hillbilly talk to where we understand it, not some big lawyer form out of New York. and and make it clear to where we can understand you and I'll be here to help you. Okay. Thank you. Did you understand that in Arkansas language that means No, I'm just kidding. I understand.

Okay. Thank you, sir. I'm from uh I'm from South L Rock, so not um we do have an attorney here to answer attorney's questions.

Um I will try to briefly describe it and look over my shoulder to make sure I don't say anything incorrect. Um pilot agreements payment in le of taxes are a way for counties to incentivize um economic development and growth in the county. Um obviously Ozark's electric has been around almost 100 years now um and built the majority of Washington County. We have a pre presentation that we gave last time. I wasn't going to load it up in case we need it, but if we need um some pictures, I can do that. Um what Ozark's electric and go are facing. Um Washington County is growing and um we have several projects that um we are looking at building over the next 10 to 15 years. And um as everyone knows with inflation and utility expenses, we're doing everything we can to keep costs down. We are not for profofit um and we serve the majority of Washington County. So a pilot agreement um what that allows is the property taxes we usually pay. So we would re we would charge rates to the members of Washington or the uh our members the citizens of Washington County to pay those property taxes. Um so the pilot agreement allows the county to enter an agreement with us where we actually just pay a lesser property tax rate on any new specific construction. It has to be very detailed. We have to tell you exactly what we're going to build and you have to approve it. So, all we are asking is to enter an agreement with the county and all of the uh complication. I

can have someone help me answer that, but basically all we're agreeing to do is over a specified period of time, we will build certain things and then we will pay a lesser property tax on just those items. Everything we've always built, everything else we have, we pay a full tax. Anything else we do outside of these specific items will pay the normal tax. And the specific projects we are looking at are first um we have an existing transmission system that takes power off the big grid and we move it around Washington County um and a little bit in a couple of neighboring counties, but the majority of that's in Washington County. And um we're going to rebuild that and basically a little more than double the size of the capacity of that um transmission system. Don't even know if we can do it in 10 years. Um but we're going to try. Um that's project number one. Number two, our headquarters is over on Weddington and we uh it's yeah um yeah, terrible building. Um but um it's grown up a lot. Um a lot of our construction is east of 49 on the east side of the county. And um for safety and efficiency, we are looking at um an operations center on the east side of 49. We already own that land. Um but we would build there, probably hire some more crews, transfer some crews. Um and so of that facility, we would ask for um property tax abatement in addition to the transmission system. And then um as most of you know, uh we built out uh the majority of Washington County, our entire service area and um in some other

electric utility areas. Ozarks go. Um, every single member of Ozarks go currently has that available and we can uh get that highspeed internet fiber all fiber internet. Um, we're asking to add any projects as we expand for all the growth in Washington County to that as well um to the property tax agreement, the pilot agreement. So those specific um items only the normal um what we call distribution. of um offices, apartments, homes, anything built. Um we continue to do that. No abatement. Um any um upgrades or new building we do at existing locations. Um not as that, just a new facility and uh doubling the capacity of our transmission system and any Ozarks go um new builds in that time frame as well. Um, if we want specifics in how it works and those legal, I will, um, ask for help from the attorney. Um, she's very plain English and, um, does a good job of explaining it to me.

I just want to blame Ozark Electric and Two Ton Water for all this growth around Northwest Arkansas. Anyway, if it wasn't for them two items, we wouldn't be having these problems. But but I really want to understand the project the insurance revenue bonds and I want to understand it says that the county is going to own that. We're going to lease it back to you. Is that is that what I hear or see or what I read?

That is what you see. And um couple of things to make sure. Um we will build it, finance it. Um we technically own it. This is for property tax role. Um, come on up. Um, there is no financial commitment for bonds to the city. It's basically a paper transaction, contractual transaction. And I'm going to let the person that knows what she's talking about [clears throat] answer this right now if you don't mind. That's fine with me. If I may, real quick, 11.1 is the resolution. If you look at that, just

I understand that. I read it and and like I said, I I want help to understand it. Okay. So, explain it well to me. I'll let Michelle All good um step up and answer how it actually works and she'll answer it way better than I will and Okay. Thank you. way quicker than I will. I have um Justice Bren, are you ready to ask a question or do you want to wait for the attorney to explain some things? Okay. Then I'm gonna turn you then turn your mic off if you would please. Thank you. Hi, good evening.

Hi, my name is Michelle All Good. I'm not a hillbilly. I'm an eagle. I grew up in Paris, not Ozark. So hopefully I will be able to explain this in a way you can understand. Um um this is constitutionally based and I understand it is a process that nobody really wants to go through but our constitution was adopted in 1874 and so the process in Arkansas is that a governmental entity can own property for a public purpose. Most of the time that's your sheriff's cars that is this building. It is your school buildings. We have a long stream of Supreme Court cases that says economic development is a valid public purpose. And so if you own property for that purpose, then it's not subject to taxation. Arkansas's general assembly has said that's not really fair. It's not really fair to not pay taxes. And so they said you have to pay 35%. And so this process, it does require the issuance of bonds so that we can do a sale lease back. Um that's what Arkansas law requires. We um the authorizing legislation specifically says that it is not a financial obligation. It will be a self- finance. It's kind of like when you borrow money from your 401k and then use it and pay it back. It's very similar. That's what Ozark Electric is going to do. They're going to lend themselves money using you as a conduit. Um, the process actually goes through the county judge. The county court gets to make this decision, but obviously your county judge wants y'all to be informed, wants y'all to understand this process, and want your support for it

because this is something that is very important to the county. So, this resolution says, "Judge, go do what the law requires in Arkansas to incentivize Ozark Electric, Ozark Go to speed up their investment because that's really what it comes down to. They've got a plan. They've got a 10-year plan. You are encouraging them if you if the county enters into this process to do it faster. save some money on your taxes and reinvest it. Build another mile of transmission. Get another 10 houses with fiber. Um, and so that is the intent. It's a lot of paper. Um, and I apologize. It's a lot of paper, but I can assure you that this isn't different than what other communities in the state are doing. Um, this is how local government supports and encourages economic development.

You're going to have to follow up.

Okay. Just you said the county is just a paper loop. That means if Ozark Electric filed bankruptcy tomorrow, we had no ties to the That is absolutely correct. Okay. Because Ozark Electric will own it owe itself the money because I know the taxpayers out there think that we give a lot of tax money away and and but we don't want to put this on the taxpayers's back if it fails tomorrow, which Ozark collector ain't going nowhere. I know that. That's just a question. I just want the people to hear that it ain't going to happen. Yeah. Thank you. Have Justice Pond. Yes. Just one question. This is a all suns set when the bonds paid off. Is that correct?

Yes, sir. So, it's the maximum period of abatement under Arkansas law is 30 years and so generally that's how these are structured. We have a 10-year construction plan that's been proposed and the assets will have a life that m that supports that. I'm thinking that would be the question that I'll be asked and I'd rather have the answer now. Yep. It definitely it will sunset and um and it's based on what the actual taxes would be. And so they're going to just like he said, they're going to make their rendition filing. They're going to identify all these assets. They will be subject to depreciation. They will be treated the same way that everybody in here is treated and any other business.

Thank you. I have Justice Brun, sorry. Uh thank you. Um just a couple questions for clarity. Um because these bonds, how do you come to the determination of how much these bonds are? Is that through the assessor's office or

So generally we pick a number. So what would be authorized is it not to exceed amount. So the company Ozark Electric and Ozark Go have said our plan is to invest up to 400 million in the next 10 years. So the bonds are a not to exceed amount. So the amount that may be drawn the first year is 50 million. It's um it's not a guarantee that they will make that investment, but you're encouraging them to make that investment. The actual amount will be what they invest and that will be based on what the assessor they will be communicating with the assessor about the amount.

So that will be if the assessor sends somebody out and says you're going to owe this much in taxes that's going to be the amount then sort of.

So it's a they have to file the assessor doesn't have to go out. Instead, the company self-reports. They have to file a commercial personal property rendition and provide that information to the assessor and then yes they will communicate with the assessor and the assessor will say we have we agree with your value. We think this is the value here's what depreciation is and then calculate the tax. Now I noticed on on this u bond that you all are um u saying here on this bond that it is uh your employees. They're basically acting as employees for you all. Is that true that the people that are going to do the work?

Oh the the actual installation of the I would assume you'll use a Yeah. Um so yes uh all construction will either be performed by Ozark's employees or contractors that we use in the normal course of business um all the time. It's we we use them every day. Are they covering the bond? Now, I know the Ozark employees would be because it says it right here, but I don't see that as a contract labor that it shows that they're they would be covered.

You when you say bond, we make sure. Are we talking about insurance like they're bonded for what they do or the the So, yes, we we we have insurance um all our contractors. So you would have the bonding insurance for the buildings and stuff like that. Yes. And then also the bonds that they say are issued in here um is a transaction where we are technically loaning the money to ourselves to um get the property to you for reporting tax purposes on.

Last question. Is is this bond one that um 10 years down the road can be voted on to have re-upted like a municipal bond? Um no, this will be a revenue bond. So there's no sales tax, there's no general obligation, there's no financial obligation. So the revenue is technically the lease revenue. So the it's going to be a sale lease back. And so um no there won't be re-uping. I have Justice Massingale.

Yes sir. Thank you. So I just had a couple of questions. Uh first one is about the projects that you mentioned. Uh you said you were going to rebuild the existing system and then double the size of the system. Yes. Okay. How is how the question or Well, so you're going to rebuild the existing system. Um, I guess my first question is about that. So, if you've got an existing line that you're already paying taxes on it, are you going to replace that line with an upgraded line that now falls under Yes. this. Okay.

Yes. And most of these transmission lines were built more than 30 years ago. Some of them well more than 30 years ago. Um and they've been maintained and we'll put new poles out there. Um a lot of this um to get more capacity you have to hang bigger wire, way bigger wire. Um, so a lot of this will be taking wood poles, wood transmission poles that they're big, but replacing them with uh larger steel structures that will last longer and um hold the weight of the additional um transmission lines. So we'll be upgrading um the durability, reliability, and also uh more than doubling the capacity of the the electricity we can move around the system. Okay. So, you retire the the existing line and replace it with an upgraded line and then

doubling the size of the system. So, you're going to create um new transmission pathways. Yeah.

Um when I say double double the capacity of the amount of electricity we can move across the system. So um we have existing routes right now and um they have a voltage set voltage that is the maximum that we can push across there or really we pull it off the big grid. Um as we rebuild this number one to keep it going we'll have to take that path out and uh move other move electricity around the pathways and rebuild as we go. Um but but we'll be basically doubling the size. So much like a water pipe only so much water goes through the pipe. Electricity only so much electricity can come through the wire. So we will upgrade the size and and the capacity um number one the size of it but we may also use uh newer technology and uh different types of um metal in the wire to to move it around. Um, basically the amount of electricity we can pull into Washington County and get to the system will double on the system and as we go uh we may need to build additional substations or new lines. Um, that was actually one of the questions um in here. So as we go we may need to buy new land, build new substations um and build new lines. And we go through this um constantly where we find sites, go um and purchase the sites, negotiate. Um so we'll make sure that we have approval and you know have someone that's willing to sell um an easement across their land for that line and then sell us the land to own to build the substations as well. there will be some new development um but the the bulk of

the original project will be rebuilding the existing system.

Okay, thank you for that answer. Um the other question is I'm kind of like JP Lim and it's it's uh let me over my head but I think the bottom line is there is a cost to the county in terms of loss taxes. Do you know what that ends up being? Good question. Um, so it would be 65% of the new revenue for for just these projects. Um and depending on how fast we can build and um how much we get built in 10 years, um the estimated savings um would be about I think $3 million a year and additional taxes we would pay. So

yeah, go ahead. So, one of the things to keep in mind is like if you buy a new car, your old car has a value that is a lot less. So, you're paying taxes on that. And then you buy a new car, your taxes go up because of the value. So, here it's a little bit I understand why you're asking the question about the loss, but right now you're not getting any taxes off 400 million that hasn't been invested. So, one way to look at it is you're going to get 35% of the taxes if they build it and you're encouraging them to build it and you're going to have now something that has more value. Like an old line, I don't know how much taxes they're paying on it, but they're not paying much. Whereas, if they've got a new brand new higher technology line, that's going to cost more. It's going to have to pay more in taxes on that even at a discount. Okay.

So, understand that.

And we we went through with um a couple of school districts because they're the most impacted by this and met with them, showed them our calculations. Um they deal with I mean it's their number one revenue source. So, we showed them um what we plan to build and additional value. And um both Springdale and Fateville felt comfortable that they'll actually get additional revenue um because all these assets are so old. Um so even though it's a discount on the um property taxes we'll pay, they'll actually their revenue will increase and the faster we build the faster their revenue increases. and went through and um met with both superintendents um to make sure they were comfortable. Um, my children go to Springdale School District and um I understand a lot of the pressures on school districts right now um with Learns Act and other issues and um so they're worried about funding and so we sat down and made sure that they were comfortable with the projects we were going to build that this while it is a discount and tax for us should lead to additional revenue in [clears throat] the future for them. Um so while yes there is a discount and we will be paying less property tax um taxes will go up.

So um does this have to be approved by the county and the schools system or can it be

approved independently? Um, no. It can just be approved by the county, but we're a community- based organization. Yeah, she'll she'll answer that better than I will. Um, we went and met with the school districts because we want to be good neighbors and um, concern for community is one of our principles. There are, you know, uh, electric cooperatives are not for profofit and we have seven principles we um, are guided by and one of those is concern for community. And so before we came here, we went and talked to them to make sure they understood and they were comfortable because um we see this as a benefit for the county. Um and you will get more revenue quicker, faster we can build. Um but also wanted to make sure those school districts um where most of our employees are in those school districts, their their kids wanted to make sure they were comfortable and knew what we were doing. That that's the only reason reason we wanted to talk to them. Well,

she's going to answer the who approves this. So, by Arkansas law, we are required to give specific notice to the school district superintendent when the county court is considering whether to grant tax abatement. So, while they don't have to specifically approve it, obviously they've had conversations with them and they will be given notice and an opportunity to be heard. There will also be an opportunity required to publish um a notice of public hearing and to hold a public hearing. And so the public will also have an opportunity to speak with respect to the project. Oh, okay. So

I guess my question is, so it's up to the core of court to approve the pilot and that impacts the school. Yes. Also, okay. Yeah. Arkansas law does not require specific approval from the school districts. It requires that they be notified and have an opportunity to be heard. Okay. All right. Thank you, Justice Lming. I'm gonna let somebody who hasn't spoken first. Okay. Thank you. But I will get back to you. I have um Justice Lopez. Thank you for being here. I do have a question regarding the structure of the abatement. So um does it start at year one or as each thing is erected

or as as it is erected? Okay. So um And when an asset exists then it is eligible for abatement. So it's not subject to taxation until they actually build that pole and put the wire on it. Gotcha. And so it will happen over time. Okay. Um and I mean otherwise what I this the inducement to invest is you want I I guess I want to understand the inducement to invest if it is as it's erected or so within any period of time as it corresponds to this project as something is erected. That's when the 30-year timer starts. No. Okay. That's what I wanted to understand. No, it's a cumulative period. So, the 30 years starts when the first asset is put in.

Okay. And so then there are some assets then that when if they're put in at the beginning, they will be granted abatement for 30 years. The assets that are constructed at the end of the 10-year period, their um plan, they will have a 20-year abatement. That that's what I wanted to understand about why I'd encourage you all to build it as fast as possible. Thank you. Have Justice lines. [clears throat]

Thank you, chair. Um, appreciate you guys being here providing this proposal. Um, I am a customer and I am I've been looking for new house and going more rural and I'm very happy to see Ozark very rural across this county supporting places that I would have figured I'd had to do satellite. You guys are there. So, really really appreciate that service you're [clears throat] providing across the county. I think it's important to understand because I know the last mean I'm not sure we all got there but you guys explained it early is earlier [clears throat] is although you're getting a break on taxes on this new equipment you're putting in the taxes you're paying today probably is not a lot because the value of what you're paying it on is low through depreciation it's been there a while etc. the new

the new the new items are higher value although you're you're paying only le you're paying less taxes moneywise you I don't know what it's going to be we probably none of us know but but we are going to get more taxes out of this program as a county ultimately even through the abatement program is my perception and I think that's important for people to know although we're giving you a break county is still going to make some some extra tax money Right. Yes. And I will say [clears throat] um we pay a lot of taxes today.

This is just our transmission um which is u significantly smaller and less costly than the distribution system.

It will be closer to the cost after we rebuild it. Um but it is a lot of it is very old. Um and we've upgraded and things here and there, but this will be a substantial upgrade. Um, but we are both Ozarks Electric and Ozarks Go are both, um, top three to five property taxpayers in the county. Um, and depending on which school district, um, either Ozarks Electric or Ozarks Go, um, is usually the largest. So, and the this only are these specific projects. Um, we will build, we are required to serve and we want to serve anybody in our designated service territory. And there's other counties, but the predominance of our system is in Washington County. So, anybody that's in the set um service territory, we build to, right? We required to build for electric and we just have chosen to build for internet.

But also this this plan helps you build quicker. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Justice. I have Justice Stafford. Thank you, Chair. Um the way this is being described, I mean, it sounds like a win-win that in overall the county gets more tax revenue in terms of real dollars. um Ozark's Electric and Ozarks Go gets a a tax break in order to build um these assets faster. Um but I have to ask like what are the that's if everything goes perfectly, right?

So what are [clears throat] the potential like pitfalls? What are the potential like downsides if there's some problem like there's a natural disaster or something and some of what's getting constructed gets destroyed or or something happens to the economy and the project can't get finished or or I don't even know what um you know scenarios could happen. Um and I was just thinking in terms of potential pitfalls for you guys and potential pitfalls for us to just know about.

Good question. So, as far as these assets getting destroyed, um that happens all the time and we rebuild it and um we will always rebuild it because we're required to serve everybody in our territory. Um we've been doing it for almost 100 years on the electric side. And um usually if it's a massive huge storm, usually we get FEMA funding. Um we're working that out right now on anything that's happening um to see how that will work. But we will rebuild it uh no matter what. And um if we don't get it FEMA funding, well then it's just up to us to have the financing available to build it to get power back to our members and then keep our rates as low as possible. Right. And that's the whole you said win-win. That was the whole idea. We've been we've been building and paying property taxes and we're happy to do it um for almost 100 years. We did just complete um an entire internet system that covers Washington County and several other counties. Um and we have financial requirements and metrics and if we don't meet those then um we have to increase our rates. So, um to build this as fast as we would like to will be difficult to do with those financial requirements without raising our rates and um there's pressures on our rates. Um because we we buy power from two entities that we are members of, we own. They're not for-p profofit as well. They're owned by electric cooperatives.

one in Oklahoma and then one in um Arkansas. Um with the growth in Oklahoma and Arkansas, they're having to build more generation and with all the other pressures around building generation right now and all the thing all of the opportunities come to Arkansas. Um that's going to cost us more and so we're worried about how much we're having to raise rates. Well, if we build this as fast as we would like to, we'll have to raise rates. So, that was why we brought this is um we do believe it's a win-win to build and be ready for the growth that's already coming. Um and then also um if we have to raise our rates, well, that's just the citizens of Washington County who are paying us to turn around and pay property taxes. So, that's the the win-win is we want to build this quickly and we want to do these projects. We're going to keep doing everything we've always done and that's going to function the way it is and the county will get additional revenue for that. But for these specific projects, we believe there's a benefit to the county whether it's new jobs at Springdale location or the ability to add more homes and businesses um in Washington County. And so we're asking basically the county to be our partner and give us a discount on taxes for just these projects. everything else we've been doing, we're going to keep paying the full tax. So, we do think it's a win-win. Um, and we're not for profit, so we wouldn't come to the county. Um, this isn't a anybody makes more money. There's no shareholders. The people who buy electricity from us own us. Um, and they're elected to our board and they govern us. So, it's we really do believe it's a win-win. It'll be additional revenue and just honestly we're asking the county to partner with us on doing

it as quickly as we can. Thank you. I have Justice Koger. Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I have people at home and in the audience who are waiting the questions I submitted and I've had a couple more come up, but if it's appropriate now, if you could kind of go through those for the people who were Okay,

absolutely. I've I've got them here. They were forwarded to us. Um so question um is the 400 million for existing industrial facility or the company planning to open a new facility? We plan to build a new actual building warehouse um and um office location in Springdale. Um that will be a brand new building that we will build. Um, our transmission system is old and will only last 20ish, maybe a little more more years. I don't know. Um, we're going to build it. We're going to rebuild it and we're going to maintain it. Um, we just don't know if we can financially build it as fast as we want to without increasing our rates more than we we want to do, right? We we we don't want to do that. So um so that will be all brand new facility and then any fiber we build would only uh be new projects uh no repairs no upgrades all that's existing and we'll just keep tracking the way we do. Um is the property already owned by the company um or is there risk for imminent domain? We own property for the actual building in Springdale. We already own it. Um, we have for a few years. Um, all of the property that our transmission lines are on, we have valid easements that we have purchased. Um, there may be some that we try to go back. That's a lot of miles of line, 150 miles of line. Um, most of them we have plenty of room. If we don't, we'll go back and try to purchase extra space on the side just because there's guidelines about how much space

you need. Um, but we do not believe imminent domain is an issue. Um, it already exists. We already own all the land. Um, and then any new substations, we would go buy the land. Um, intended usage, development usage of the land and for what duration. When we buy land, we own it forever. Um, and we will maintain it and build it and in the future probably rebuild it. Um, but we plan to use it forever. We've been on Weddingington in our headquarters since 1938. 1938. Um and then we have a location in Stillwell, Oklahoma and a small little office in uh Westville, Oklahoma and on Emma up in Springdale. We've owned those for a long time. Um but basically typically we own it forever. Um is this project or will this project in any way be related to wind energy or data centers? No. Um, we don't, um, we don't own our own generation right now. Um, who knows what happens in the future, but we don't own our generation. We purchase it from not for-p profofit entities owned by electric cooperatives where we're a member of and an owner. Um we have partnered with um school districts and the city of Fateville on um some solar and storage. They own the solar and uh a company built the storage for us. We lease it and we use that to

help control our costs. Um because sometimes it's more expensive to buy power when the sun's not shining, right? And not in the middle of the day. So we basically store energy that the school districts and city of Fateville um generate. We store it and then we dispatch it at times that save us money. So we don't actually own any wind or solar or anything like that. Um or any other types of generation. Um data centers. No, this has nothing to do with data centers. Um and any data center Every single electric utility in the country's been contacted by data centers. Um some serious a lot not speculative. Um this has nothing to do with data centers. This is for um the transmission is for existing infrastructure for current Washington County residents and the expected growth of homes and normal businesses. Anything else like that? If a data center were to call and actually want to build something here, um, they're going to have to pay for the substation. They would have to pay for any upgrades to a transmission system themselves and they would have to pay for the electricity that's going to be generated.

Okay. May I ask stop you for a moment because you said something a while ago about rebuild for growth that is coming and that's why the people who were talking to me that's kind of what they were worried about the data sensors that that's what you were building for.

No, this is normal homes and businesses um that we expect. So um building an electric grid doesn't happen quickly at all. Um, so it's we plan years in advance and look at what we expect normal growth to be. Um, that just houses and subdivisions and apartments and buildings that are built. Um, and we're planning for that. has no bearings of any data centers. Okay.

And we have we've of course we've been everybody's been contacted but we have nothing in the works any anything official right now. Okay. I'm sorry. Go ahead.

No. Um is the 400 million itemized? Um yes. Uh building um is very itemized. we have kind of a conceptual drawing um and we'll build that out. That's easy. The uh miles of line we um already track by county and by school districts and we own all the routes and land and we own all all our substations and own all that land. Um we have very very detailed records that we have to submit to the public service commission um every year. So we know where everything is and we have a detail of all of it. Um the only thing that we wouldn't already actually have a specific place for would be um as we grow if we need a new substation and just a line to get out to it. Um, and that's not itemized because we don't know where it would exactly be yet. But again, that's why the county will tell us an up to amount and only for these specific projects, only for these type of projects, not anything else we want to build. And is there likely to be additional funding? Um so we have constantly been seeking um funding for fiber and the problem is we built it too soon. All the funding the vast majority of the funding came afterwards. We do have some funding um from two grants from ARDOF and CAF or the acronyms they go by. That's federal funding. Um depending on the grant, we

usually offset the cost of the um assets. Some grants um make you record it as revenue. Um that actually works out better for the county because then it's a higher cost, but some of them require you to offset the cost of it. Um and that would just be less cost to us and then less revenue, but it's funding we don't have to pay for. Um, we have been seeking and are trying to get grants for this transmission. Um, so we will continue to do that. Um, and all that will do is just lower the cost for us, which then is less we have to recover from our member owners. Um, as far as building it and maintaining it, um, we have financial um, relationships, long-standing um, with with people who lend to electric cooperatives that are um, not for profofit and cooperative themselves. So, those are existing. We're constantly talking to them. Um, that's my job. So we've given them all these forecasts and plans and constantly planned to make sure we have funding there for that. Um and then like duration of the bonds we covered 30 years from when we start and then um only lasts that long. anything we as we build the f through 10 years, it's just less um less time on those assets. And the lease and payback mirror um the the bonds mirror the pilot agreement um because really we're just technically loaning money to ourselves to let you own it for property tax purposes.

Okay. If I understand it correctly, once the these assets are finished, then you give title to the county and then the county leases it back to you. Is that correct? That is correct. It's called the sale lease back transaction. Okay. Uh and so the revenues to okay to make the lease payments to the county, you're going to be using revenue from people who are from customers. Correct. Okay. So, how can the $400 million, how can that not increase utility costs for your customers? We build all the time.

Um, we build every single day. We are building um our rates are designed to pay for a portion of what we build each year in cash and then the rest we finance and that's the plan. Um, so all of these items that we're going to build, we're going to have to build at some point anyway. Um, so it's just do we do it as quickly as we can or do we wait as long as possible. Um, we would like to build quicker um, but because we think that benefits the county. Uh, but also um, we won't build irresponsibly because we're owned by the people we sell electricity to and our board of directors is elected by the people we sell electricity to and they approve all our budgets and all our plans. So, we're not for profofit. We won't build faster than we should. Um costs are going up everywhere, right?

I do want to say one thing. So the financing mechanism for achieving the tax abatement does not add to the cost because the company will owe itself money. So the the rent equals the debt service on the bonds and their financial statements consolidate. And so it doesn't increase the cost or the revenue. It offsets. We purposely structure it in a way so that it doesn't have an impact on their costs and revenues. The only increase is just what they do on a normal day-to-day basis. The actual investment in the the assets.

That's just hard to wrap my head around. I have a picture I have a picture that I can share with you. It is not on that slide. And uh also can how many jobs will this project the whole thing how many will that jobs are you expecting to create?

Um uh good question. So we currently employ between Ozarks Electric and Ozarks SCO 350 3 right about 350. Um at the rate we are uh naturally growing, we're adding about 10 employees a year. Um the transmission um project uh we will use existing employees and then um contractors that are based here in Washington County and who do work for us all the time. Um the transmission project um not a lot of actual job growth for that. The new Springdale location. Um we would like to hire crews that will be based out of there. Um we will transfer some and backfill but um that building is designed to last us for years and years. So, um, basically we plan to add at least 10 people a year. Um, and current estimates for next year are above that. Um, specifically for this project, I don't know if there would be specific individuals hired other than we're growing and we're constantly adding people and the new location is to move people over to and allow us to continue to.

So, you've already been meeting with the assessor then to talk about the terms for the pilot. Doug, we haven't talked to the assessor. Typically, those conversations with the county judge first and then once there is support for the project then we definitely have those conversations with the assessor to make sure that there's agreement on the okay okay I just okay what about um public service commission oversight we you me

so um when assets are eligible for tax abatement then that assessment happens at the county assessor. If they are not part of tax abatement, then it happens at public service commission. So the assessment process will be moved from the public service commission to the assessor. The typical regulatory and all of the rules that they have to follow that still stays with public service. Okay. Okay. Um thank you. Thank you. Finally, last question. Justice Liming, you get to close us out. was going to uh move it to the full quorum court. That's what I was going to do.

Well, we've got we've got resolution number 11.1. You can do that when we're there. While we're talking I just one one quick question. Do you ensure and the question that this young lady was talking about while ago about disasters happening? Well, when Ozark go come in here, they had to put all brand new poles in and they raise their lines up and the first thing happens. We have a tornado. We had three tornadoes this year that's destroyed how many poles for y'all? Several. 150. Yeah. Y'all just got through doing that Ozark go over steel wheel and it come through and took out 11 or 12 or 13 right the same next night or so. So are y'all insured

self-insured or y'all insured through an insurance company? Um man, good question. Um we have an insurance company and we are insured

um for all our facilities and um very timely question. So, um, we have been because we are a rural not for-profit electric cooperative, we are eligible for FEMA funding. And in the history of Ozarks, anytime there's been a major significant um, storm that causes damage, you know, you go through the FEMA process where it's identified what. So, that that's always happened um, always until this year. So FEMA's going through some um all of us are

issues right now. Yes, they are. So um right now we believe FEMA's coming back before too long. The storm in May, we don't believe we're getting FEMA funding for, but we can handle it and we'll absorb it. If it does not come back quickly, then we will begin insuring against that. But but that like she said the question I mean you spent 400 million you got it all done tomorrow. You never know it could happen tomorrow. So you just got to go again. You just got to keep trucking. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Just to be cognizant we we haven't even hit the the ordinances yet. Thank you. Have Justice Minguel. Okay. Just one more quick question. Um, it sounds like these are infrastructure upgrades that need to be made. You're going to make anyways. It's just the timing. If you get the pilot, you'll be able to do it quicker. If you you don't get the pilot, what do you think the time frame is? Are you looking at 10 years down the road? But where you would make this uh normal? Probably double that. 20. Yeah, probably double that. Okay. So by be by making these upgrades now sounds like it would actually increase the revenue to the county for in the beginning.

Yes. But down the road it would be I mean it's going to happen at some point in the future.

Um and then we will um do it before it's required, right? We're not going to let our members be without power. We want to be as reliable as we can. Um, but the longer you wait, the more it's going to cost, the more we're going to have to charge people for it, right? Um, and right, so do it quickly. Um, and then nobody has to worry about it. It will actually increase our reliability. Um, and then yes, it should be more revenue sooner for the county. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, sir. I I think that's it. Thank you.

If you ever need anything, just let us know. We'll come answer. We want to be as honest and open as we can. Yeah, we have we have you the resolution on 11.1. So, as soon as we get to that portion of the agenda, you'll know. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. We appreciate it. Next on the agenda, we have NWA Council Mr. Rob Bologn. Good evening, county. Mr. Chairwoman, we're going to have an economic development historical meeting tonight. We're two hours in. We're not even through the presentations. I know

I want to just give a quick thank you to the Ozarks Electric team. They've all been very engaged in this project. They've gotten any of our questions answered. And I want to just say we don't have to trust these individuals. They have a history right here in Washington County and they're a big part of our success. And wish that switching gears tonight, I want to introduce Mr. Ron Maloney with the NWA Council. Ron works in economic development. So you remember a month couple months ago we had our joint meeting with Benton and Washington counties in the Springdale city council chambers. That's kind of work now that we're doing as a region. We want to look at where we can work together as a region where that makes sense uh and where it doesn't. There's an act this year this year the industrial development authority act was passed by the state legislature. That's a little bit more of a technical act that I'm going to let Mr. Maloney go into. But all that to say, we have another opportunity here to join our partners Madison and Benton County in this endeavor and to continue to lead in this region. And so with that, I'm gonna turn it over to him for another win-win scenario. Mr. Maloney,

Judge De. Good evening, M. Maloney. Hi. How are you this evening? Well, thank you.

Well, I realize uh there is a slew of uh ordinances behind me, so um I will uh be very cognizant of that. Um, so for the purposes of tonight and considering I'm kind of a late add-on, um, we're unsure where that mixup came up, but irregardless, we're here. And, um, what I expect tonight is just this is the start of a discussion. So, we have started this discussion with Benton County and Madison County. And here's here's what I've observed and experienced. So, we will do a little introductory scenario tonight. Like just this is not new. What I'm going to propose to you is not new to Arkansas. Uh it's actually very common in the rest of the United States, but it's been so restrictively used in Arkansas since 1961, it might as well be new to Arkansas. So, um, tonight I just want to introduce this to you. Um, I expect we'll end up doing what we've done with our other county, uh, partners and I am available and I will reach out to every one of you. Take time as much or as little as you want. I will ask answer as many questions you want and we'll just do this until everyone is comfortable and then we'll proceed on. That's okay.

That sounds great. So um industrial development authorities tonight just real basically what's the why for them what are the what are they what are they're not and how do they just basically work if I make my own presentation go [snorts] so I can tell him when to advance. Okay. All right. So, just advancing on to the next one. So, the initial why, there's always something that starts something, right? I mean, there's always something that gets a ball rolling. So, when I I've been in regional economic development for going on 27 years, it's what I know. And uh when I got here four and a half years ago, uh my family and I, we weren't happy in the place of the United States where we lived. And we had been looking across the nation for a place that suited our likes, our wants, or just our personal family makeup. And that was Northwest Arkansas. So, we moved here. And as I began to work here, um the first thing I noticed is we have, as you'll see when we go to we're not going to go to the next slide, but when we go to the next slide, we do not have a we do not have a well functioning industrial real estate market. So, these are two locations. If any of you had a chance last week to be at the state of the region uh event that we had here in Fagville, we had a uh we had both the uh the standard uh economic presentation, how well we're doing, how well we're not doing, but then we also had a location consultant and um Miss Hall, she spoke about how uh the the regions, especially some of the regions we we benchmark against. Okay, so these are two. One is

Austin, Texas and one is Provo or Utah. If you look at Austin, that is a healthy real estate market from an industrial perspective. Um there you see the green squiggly line. It goes through the top. That's your availability. You always want your availability high. You got a higher availability. There's something for someone to buy, something for somebody to rent. And what you want is the blue and the oranges are your inputs. New stuff coming on the market. The other is the taking either leasing or buying and coming out of the market. But generally speaking, you always see that green line ahead. You'll see something in this presentation. You'll see that around the same time period, this was during uh COVID, the real estate market in the United States went crazy and there was a a vast demand for industrial real estate. And uh so you'll see these spikes on all three of these these graphs. But in Provo Orum, they're a little different. And the reason I included them in here is they are they are kind of like where we were where we are now. So they were an innovation economy and still are. And um as they innovated and they started new businesses and they created new products, there was nowhere to manufacture it. And so they started looking elsewhere. And the innovators are going, "Wait a second. uh the very thing that I've created I can't even manufacture in my own state. So they realized they had a problem and they worked really super hard uh to get their availability above. You see the inputs into the market the green they they spent they realized they had a problem in the region and they went and they worked with their developer community and they got that inputs up and now you see their availability is up. Now wait till I show you our crazy market here. Does that look like any of those two? If you advance the slide, does that look like anything that we've seen on those

other two slides? No. Um, we have, uh, we have a wonderful development real estate community. If you need to build cross stock distribution building range between 200 and three 400,000 square feet, you find that in Northwest Arkansas all all day long. But if you're like me, the regional economic developer who's fielding inquiries uh day in day out, week in week out, uh you get these requirements for advanced manufacturing facilities where uh the cost per square foot is starts at 195 per square foot and can go up to 385 per square foot.

It's a vast difference. We're in a we're in a different ballgame. So our developer community here, they know what works very well in Northwest Arkansas. They know how to deploy their capital. They're very good free market capitalists. They know how to deploy capital. They know how to get the best returns for their money. How to start a project, get it taken, either leased or sold. But we, if you want to advance to the next slide, um, we we need more than that. There's nothing wrong with that, but we need more as a region. And I believe it was you, Justice Leming, that made a comment earlier. And if I'm wrong, I but I think I heard it was you that said it was kind of sitting there and I was kind of blocked, but I think it was you. You made a comment about the growth we're experiencing in Northwest Arkansas. So, when we started this, I said, "We have a problem. How do we solve that immediate problem?" But when we looked at the council uh more broadly about this issue about our growth, so growth is here. It's not going to stop. So what's your what can you do? You just look strategically. You look and you say how can I take advantage of the growth but receive higher impact greater transformation for proactively dealing with the growth versus trying to deal in the back end from the growth happening. And so that's what we started doing. I started doing this is my job at the one of my things I do at the council. So we started looking across three counties and we said look what are the opportunities we see what the market outside of Arkansas and northwest Arkansas they keep coming to us for the last four and a half years saying we believe this is a place where we can we can manufacture stuff we can do technology testing we can do more R&D and we're not prepared for it so we started looking at what are some opportunities so what I'm proposing here when we talk about developing an IDA

which is a vehicle to get things done. It is not to do tons of projects. It's to do those things that will return the best impact for the capital and the efforts we deploy. Okay. So, what we've done is we look at everything and I'll have an example here shortly of we looked uh Benton County, we looked at five of these type opportunities. We've looked at Madison and we've got a a couple identified but what we do is we look at if we do these things what is the return for us and we look at it based on all kinds of you know I don't know if you know this we can actually uh run an analysis on any economic development impact project that that's going to come and it doesn't matter what it is uh whether our friends from the electric company that just preceded me or it's a new advanced manufacturing project or it's a local employer who has done very well and now they're in a rapid growth expansion and you say well I as a community if we're going to do something maybe you're asked to do a pilot program well what are we going to get for that or what should that look like is it is it worth us doing we can we can do an analysis of that and we can look at it from direct and indirect and all many forms so what we're looking for is these things that give us a great impact if you want to go to the next slide So, here's a situation in Arkansas. Until uh Act 576 was done through the last legislative session, was part of Governor Sanders uh economic development package, uh IDAs were uh only only available uh at the ports. If you didn't have a port and a naval river, you're out of luck. Okay. For me, as an economic developer who's worked in multiple states, it's for me it's like

reach into my toolbox and saying, "Where's my screwdriver?" One of the most common things you're going to find in your thing. And here in Arkansas, I reach in my toolbox here and I don't even have a screwdriver. So, um, if we advance to the next slide, uh, we I spent a year and a half. I'm a guy who does his homework. Spent a year and a half looking how the rest of the nation does it. and those that that are using them very well. I went into their enabling legislation knowing how far back was understood what was working, what wasn't working, what's best, what's not, and then we came up and we proceeded to do that work that eventually culminated through the last session. You want to go to the next slide? This is uh an exact representation of what it looked like. So the darker the green and this on this slide. So that's half the country. These are the states that either we benchmark against or these are the states that for lack of a better term and I know this is going to sound a little crass but they are kicking you know what and taking names as far as economic development and economic progress in this country. And you're going to see [clears throat] one thing they share in common. They've got this tool and they've had this tool in their toolbox for a very long time. But Arkansas, you can see the green dots. If you weren't one of the green dots, you're out of luck. So, if you want to advance to the next slide, let me just tell you what a what we do, what an an IDA is, what it does, what it doesn't do, because there's always this is something we've experienced in the other two counties is working through. Uh because like I said, it's been so restricted in Arkansas since 1961, it might as well be absolutely new to Arkansas. So uh an industrial development authority is can be created in two ways according to act 576 now because we've expanded it.

Every city, every county could if they wanted to create their own IDA, but that's a lot of duplicativeness. That's an expansion of government. That's a lot of experts you got to go out and find to fill those new positions. Um but what we do through that or you can do the al alternative which is what we're proposing to you tonight and or starting that proposal and that is because we are in a new day and age here in northwest Arkansas and I hope you recognize that's not just the growth we're experiencing but there is a spotlight on the three counties of northwest Arkansas that didn't exist just until a couple years ago. Everybody's looking at Northwest Arkansas saying, "Why is this place doing as well as it is?" Even with some of those challenges that I presented earlier, we're still doing very, very well. And we have uh businesses growing here. We have businesses coming here. We have people coming here. Uh it's very fun. My wife is a a realtor and it's so many it's so fun to see how one year she helps somebody move here and then a brother and sister come the next year and the parents come the next. And it's nice to see this congealion of families in one place. So what we do now through this legislation is we're proposing that we act as three counties and not as individuals.

So what can we do if you stand up any either of those two option A or B whatever you want to do. Um before you could just develop industrial facilities around a port, railways, port peers, things of that nature. But now when we rewrote this, when we expanded not only who can do it, but you can acquire, develop, improve, rehabilitate anything from industrial property, commercial, R&D, innovation, technology, deployment, testings. Yes, the ports are still there, but we are in a different age now. I mean, people are looking places not only do they create stuff but they want to know does it work and does it work can it be deployed and actually work in the real world so that's part of this testing that I put in there uh what we primarily do is we use industrial revenue bonds okay so industrial revenue bonds is a is uh not a new tool it's been around for a very long time um first known occurrence of it is 1930 this is what happens when your economic developer regional econ has two degrees in history I have to throw a little history in every first uh occurrence of an industrial revenue bond being used anywhere in the United States was in 1936, but for all intents and purposes, it uh the IRS coded it in 1954 and then there's been congressional revisions ever since. But basically what we do with an industrial revenue bond is an IDA client comes along a prospect and says I want to do this and so we look at that company and we say all right what's your project you got this much capital you say you're going to do this you're going to create this you're going to you're making these commitments and the next thing to do is we look at their their balance sheet do they actually have the money to do what they say they're going to do they have a track record of of doing it? And so then what we do is we construct a deal and whereas the revenue that that deal is going to produce is

what pays off the revenue bonds over time. What that means to a community is unlike a general obligation bond that's municipal or otherwise, there is no impact to a county or a locality because it is the company who is who is going to uh produce the revenue and pay for the bonds and it is not against the county's uh credit, good faith, its assets or its resources. So that's some of the things we do and we don't do. if you want to uh go on to the next slide. So wh what did I do? Oh I see if I hit this uh thing too hard it vibrates it and goes backwards. Okay so our proposition to you and this is just a proposition for tonight and I know we'll work together in the coming weeks individually till everyone is satisfied. The proposition is for Benton Madison and Washington County which forms the federal MSA. So we're layering right on top of the federal MSA to form a regional industrial development authority so that we can undertake transformative high impact projects. So if we're going to have growth, let's have growth on our terms. Let's have growth on our economic development and terms, not reacting to what's just happening. If you want to go to the next slide, I'm going to give you an example of um Yeah. Okay. So this is an example. Um just so you know these were not things that I just made up. So we looked at a project and we came up with an original economic impact analysis and then two companies came one company came to Northwest Arkansas. It could not find the industrial space for itself. So it went to uh went to North Carolina. Another

one um we had a chance to compete for it but we weren't ready either and that went to Ohio. But if we take those numbers and all the other things we for this one site this one and it's not just a site where one thing is going to go. It's going to be a technology park. These are some of the things that we were able to to show over the next 20 years. This development will create 19,787 new jobs direct and indirect. uh annual earnings over uh over two billion average job 103,000. I mean that's significant in this day and age. You can live a family can live in that and two parents don't have to work if they choose not to. U the last thing is the one that as an economic developer most excites me. We call it the annual economic output. That is the amount of new money that is created by this overall activity that comes into a market and spends and spends and spends over a 20-year period. So, if we were highly successful at this one, this is the project we actually choose to do in Benton and probably might be u but nothing's a given yet. Can you imagine what it's like to have 300 billion new dollars floating through your recirculating through three counties? This is what we mean by transportive high impact projects. So again, what we're looking to do in each county is one, what makes sense for the county. Each county in this this region has a strength and part of our job as economic developers working with you is to make sure that not only is the project smart and it has return but does it fit the community and then does it have a return worth

doing the effort to do. if you want to go to the last slide. Um, so, uh, I did this one. This is, uh, this is one I did for, uh, a project that we're looking at in Madison County. Um, things are scaled according to counties, right? I mean, every county in this region is a little different. Um, but can you imagine for a county like Madison if somehow $89 million in new capital got employed deployed in the next 20 years? You can, you know, your neighbor, that is high impact and high return for that community. But it doesn't have to require a ton of jobs. It doesn't have to require a lot of impact. We're not asking anything from them because the deal will drive the development and the infrastructure. Um let's just go if you want to go one more slide before I don't take up the time going through all the FH FAQ because I actually emailed last week uh a document called the that's more broad than what's in the presentation and I gave it to you last week. Now I know there are two that didn't get it. Um, Justice uh Lopez, I got a notice that kept saying it was re not delivered to you, not delivered and not delivered to you three times. Did you get it?

Okay. Well, then that's this that's just technology lying then. But there I think the other one was uh Justice Dean, did you get it actually? Okay, good. Then then the notifications were liars and everyone's got it. um that set of FAQs is far more robust than what's in this presentation and I would not want to bog you down in that tonight. But at the same time, I'm not skirting it. What I would propose is that going forward over the next couple weeks, I would love to meet with every one of you and spend as much time as you need and answer every question, every concern, and every positive hope that you might have that comes out of this. Um and when I say I'm just going to give you an example. I had one justice. I will not say in what county that justice said, I have a couple questions and three and a half hours later we were done with 42. And if that's what it takes for any of you for me to help you better understand the opportunity that's ahead of us and this way to deal with that growth, so it's growth on our terms, not somebody else's terms, I'm here for you. So, um, uh, Judge Deacon has my contact information, but it I believe it was also in that FAQ. If it's not, uh, just ask, uh, Judge Deakons and he will give you my email and my cell phone number. But just know I will be reaching out to every one of you, uh, not tomorrow, but the day after, just because tomorrow is a crazy day on my schedule, and I don't know how I'd even fit lunch in tomorrow at this point. But thank you for your time, your attention, and look forward to working with every one of you on this. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Is everybody okay? They're still here.

Okay. Justice Okay. No, I think we need a we need to get up and have a five minute break. Five minutes, everybody. Okay.

Oh, wow. Oh boy.

Yeah. Hey,

good. How are you? Oh, I know. Oh, it's fine.

It's always interesting. Hopefully we get it sounds like Okay, I will.

Sure. No, I don't think so. I mean they have a lot once they once they understand what's going on

you have some people that think that it's Worst idea ever to just taking money from taxpayers and giving to friends and well people that want to make all the decisions. Really? Are you kidding me? Oh yeah.

Hello. Oh, good. No, you did a good Well, I mean, a lot of information. We got a minute 30 seconds left. You did good. But I want y'all to know that it's the to get Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to reconvene the committee meeting. If y'all will take your discussion outside and the excitement that y'all

feel, we thank you for sticking around. All right, JPs, are we ready? Thank you. Next on the agenda is 9.1 um ordinance 2025 to be enacted by the quorum court of the county Washington state of Arkansas. An ordinance entitled an ordinance amending ordinances and for other matters pertaining there too. Councelor Lester who's introducing this JP Lines. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, [clears throat] so as we started, the most recent one is the one we hand out has the two under the item. So, [clears throat] a little explanation. So, we we I started out amending an amendment to an ordinance 2011904 and found out there was this ordinance. So, we decided the best route was amend this ordinance and then repeal 201904. Therefore, we've got one ordinance that provides the information versus multiple. Bottom line, I I I have found it um difficult to be prepared for meetings. Um we would get agendas end of day Friday. We'd have a meeting Monday or Tuesday. Any research we need to do, any county people we need to talk to aren't available Saturday and Sunday. So you have Monday during the day for the Monday meeting we have here or Monday and Tuesday for the Tuesday meeting. For the actual quorum court, we had about six six days. So it worked out pretty well. So what I what I attempted to do was modify the whole process in bringing an ordinance to a meeting committee meeting or the actual quorum court

meeting whereas it used to be five days that we would deliver that to the the counselor for his review etc before the meeting. We I've moved that to seven days because again what I'm trying to do is move and give us more time to get the agenda and the ordinance to review before we come into the meeting. So we move that back to get that to the council. seven days, seven business days prior to the date of the meeting. So, if it's county services or if it's any of the any of the meetings we attend and then moving um the agenda [clears throat] and the ordinances for that agenda to come out to us by the Wednesday of the week immediately preceding the date of the meeting. So, example for this meeting that agenda would have came out last Wednesday. for Tuesday's finance and budget committee meeting the agenda would come out Wednesday and then for the quorum court which is a Thursday it would come out the Wednesday a week so Wednesday before a week before that the agenda would come out that so the attempt again is just to give the body more time to review it get with whoever to ask questions get input etc and be be better prepared for for the meetings and that's that's all this do if you want to see the whole um [clears throat] 202126. The counselor has some copies of the existing 202126. If you're interested, I'm sure you can pass them out. I move that we sent move this on to the uh full quorum court with the due pass recommendation.

I have a motion by Justice Lines and a second by Justice Dean. Is there any discussion? Justice Koger.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have an amendment I would like to make to this to uh in the ordinance that we're amending 2021-26, there's an article six which reads um an ordinance shall not be reintroduced in less than one year if it once fails adoption by the corn, unless it relates specifically to the annual budget. My amendment is to amend article six to say an ordinance shall not be reintroduced in less than six months if it once fails adoption by the corn court, unless it relates specifically to the annual budget.

I have a a motion by Justice Koger to amend article number six that states one year to six months And I have a second by JP Hires. All in favor of that admit. Do we have any discussion of Justice Limming?

Uh Brian, is it so that if if if I bring something up and it fails, can I bring it back, the person that introduces it? Is that is that true or not true? No, I believe the intent was that you wouldn't have um at the time the court enacted this, JP Wilson, Jim Wilson was the one that brought this. I think that the the intent was that you wouldn't have an ordinance that just continued to be brought up over and over and over even though it was failing so it didn't waste time. And so that apparently was what um was was passed. So it would any any ordinance that unless it dealt with the budget because budget issues come up uh couldn't be brought again um within a year after it fails.

Yeah, that answer would be no. U Justice Wilson. Yes. Thank you. Um I I think I would be opposed to changing this from a year to six months because uh you may very well be bringing something up under the same budget whereas if you wait 12 months you're you're going to be uh considering it under a different budget which I think would be a crucial factor. So, uh, if you say six months, maybe it's under the same budget. Maybe you're in a new year.

To to be clear, it it except for budget items. This is just a um a proposed ordinance. Let's just say every family is going to be limited to two cats and it was put to a vote and it failed. But you want everybody to have two cats. So you bring it up again and the way it states now, you have to wait one year before you can reintroduce that ordinance since it already failed. And that was to prevent, as county Lester mentioned it going back and forth, but not not with budgetary issues.

I would I would still contend that a year is a reasonable okay reasonable time to wait. Uh and some things aren't directly budgetary matters, but they're happening under a budget under the umbrella of one budget. Um sometimes a budget may indirectly affect something there too. So I think it's a good rule as it exists. Thank you. I have JP Stafford.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, this is another uh question I guess for Mr. Lester. One of the things that I've never really been clear on is what counts as the same ordinance versus a different ordinance? Like how different does something have to be before it's not considered the same ordinance? Is it changing a single word in the ordinance? Is it more like changing the changing the actual like material um mechanism of what the ordinance does? So, that's been the the big question on this and I don't I don't know that we've ever pushed it. Um, and it it really the ordinance when it was passed did not really specify what that is. So, I don't know that I have a good answer for you because the the court when it passed this didn't really get into the details on that.

Okay. And so, that's, you know, would kind of be left up to the body and then the courts to interpret if if someone challenged that. Okay. So that might be something that potentially we might want to look at tightening up the language on is what counts as being the same ordinance only repackaged. Yeah.

As I recall, this had to do with the landlord um bill of rights when this ordinance first came up, those that were on the court. And what we were saying is this is a redundant ordinance because there's already state laws and landlord handbook, but they were insistent that we had Washington County had their own ordinances dealing with landlords and what they can and cannot do and it failed. Then it was brought up again the next year, same thing. But it had to that was the issue. It's so I don't I agree we have to tighten it up. Is it the issue or is it the language that is being presented? So that's something that we can discuss at a different time. Have justice lines.

Just a question I was curious counselor. Uh the term corum court is that the body or the meeting? So what I'm trying to understand does it matter whether it fails in committee or in the quorum court meeting is still is part of the corner court failed because it's the body. Right. So when this um I'll just tell you when this ordinance was passed we didn't have any committees of the whole and so the quorum court was the actual monthly meeting of the the body. Um now we there's probably some argument as to whether or not that is committee or full court in court. Um again thank you.

It's hard to say. Okay. Okay, I have a motion and a second to amend the language to six months from one year. All in favor say I. All opposed. Assembly. But that was a division of the assembly will happen when it is undistinguishable. The vote is undistinguishable. I'm calling attorney.

I don't So, just so you know, I don't I don't rule on this. I can only give you advice to the chair and the chair makes the ruling. When I read the division of the assembly, it has to do with it was indistinguishable and therefore you had to stand up. Okay, then you know what? All in favor in favor of the amendment

I just I have a point for you. I think what was stated was it was inverted because I thought I heard you say from six months to one year. Huh. I it was it was stated the other way. So that's why so I apologize. Let me retract that. Let's just go.

We're voting on the amendment to change the ordinance language from one year to 6 months. Thank you for the correction. I stand corrected. All in favor of the amendment, please rise. All thank you. All oppose, please rise. One, two, three, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10.

That felt good. Thank you, Justice Koger. Justice Dennis. That amendment fails. So now we're back to the original motion. I have a motion and a second to approve 9.1. Is there any discussion? Is there any public comment? Seeing that there's none, all in favor of passing 9.1 say I.

All oppose. The eyes have it. 9.1 will be passed on to the fullcorn court with a due pass recommendation. Next on the agenda is item 10.0. Um this is being requested by Judge Deakons. I can explain. Okay. Justice.

So we passed an ordinance as you recall increasing the pay of the um members of the planning board. But there in our new ordinance, it also stated so we need to amend that ordinance as well so that it's in our new planning code. And so all this is is is basically I mean you're not changing anything. We're just putting we're amend we have to specifically vote on amending 2025-44 which is our our new code for the language to be changed in that. So, this isn't um an amendment for it's a scribner's error. I have I might like to make a motion

to pass 10.0. Do we have a second? Is there any discussion? All in favor say I. Any public com public comment? It's getting late. Seeing that there's none. Thank you. All in favor say I.

All oppose. 10.1 passes onto the full quorum court. Next we have um item number 11.1 the resolution uh to support Ozark Electric. I have Justice Lming. Second. I make a motion that we send it to the full corner court for a pass.

I have a motion by Justice Limming and second by Justice Dean and Dennis. Is there any discussion? Is there any public comment? Oh, Justice Cover. Thank you. Um, thank you. Um, I appreciate all the information the Ozarks go that that you have brought. You've been very informative. You've answered my questions, but I'm just concerned with foregoing revenue that foregoing that revenue, those taxes could crowd out or delay needed to capital projects for the county or might cause service cuts or force a tax increase at some point. and I'm not comfortable with giving a private company a tax break to build an office building. And uh at at one point they said that as I what I heard was it would move forward with or without a tax break. So it's hard for me to understand what the real public benefit is with that. Those are my comments. Thank you.

Thank you, Justice Koger. Is there any public comment? Oh, justice lines. I'm sorry. I didn't see this. I snuck in. You did.

Thank you, ma'am. Well, a couple of items. Um, [clears throat] so I I think in my mind, the benefit is one, it's going to get done quicker. Think we as a county will see more tax revenue quicker. two, it'll keep the rates for the customer lower for a longer period of time and provide more reliable service. So, I think there's huge benefit to the county and the constituents in in supporting this and and moving it forward. Justice Menale.

Yes, thank you, Chairman. I believe I agree with the two statements that JP Koger made actually and you know I I think I'd like to have more time to study the the actual um you know does this actually result in a net benefit uh financially for the county because it's hard for me to really uh understand that um you know I understand that the investment would be made sooner than than without the funds. But you know what what is the um total benefit financially from the county from that? So thank you.

Just as a reminder, it is a resolution to support the ongoing issue of um housing and f Oh, sorry, wrong one. It's a resolution. I have Justice Pond. Yes, Madame Chair. Thank you. Um, I'm seeing this as it was presented. We're going to experience an increase in the revenue stream from this. And after the bonds are paid off, there'll be like a huge balloon of an increase. Uh, and I I'm I'm uh I'm kind of thinking I'm enjoying the idea of an this is they're increasing a an infrastructure. This is infrastructure. We're talking about building and increasing and and we're going to be increasing this infrastructure with the growth. We're going to be staying with the growth. Probably not really even ahead of it. We're just we're just keeping up with growth where there other other forms of infrastructure as we experience we're way behind the growth. Um, I can't see that we're going to do anything. I'm just Well, you can tell I'm for it. I'm just I I'm just I'm just just enjoying the notion of having, like I said,

infrastructure keeping up with our growth. I appreciate it. Thank you, Justice Pa. Justice Hires. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I kind of want to echo what um JP Bond said here and also JP Lions. Um it's a resolution. This is not an ordinance. Um but y'all this is critical infrastructure. It's a critical infrastructure and it is of the utmost importance that we stay ahead of that. We all sat through the meeting in Bentonville where we learned about how much this area is growing. So I absolutely support taking care of

Thank you, Justice Hires. Just a minute. I have Justice Lopez.

Thank you, Chair. Uh again, to echo the sentiment of a couple of the JPs that spoke before me. Um like like we've said in in increasing our investment in infrastructure, it's a lot of the reason not only to get ahead of growth, but also because it impedes growth. As we've heard previously there, we have to have infrastructure available to grow in the ways that we would like to grow or we will be stuck growing in the ways that we can grow. And I think that that is something to consider when we consider, you know, infrastructure investments. Again, this is not something that's going to raise debt liability for the county. We're not we're not on the hook for this. This is something that they're doing that they have to finance through us because of how the law is written, even though they're just borrowing money from themselves. But there is no legal vehicle for them to do it otherwise. So I I don't think that we are on the hook for anything here. And I do believe that it, you know, as it's been said before, it's a win-win situation.

Thank you. I have Justice Stafford. Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to correct, excuse me, [clears throat] correct the record on something that was said earlier, uh, to the effect that this was going to be a tax break going to a private company or corporation. Um, Ozarks Electric is neither of those things. It's a nonprofit. Uh, and in fact, it's a member-owned cooperative. Um, so I just wanted to make that correction and I'm going to be voting in favor of this. Thank you. I have Justice Brun.

Thank you. Um, I think this court has an obligation not only for what we do today and what we look for is incoming today, but we have to build for this future and we have to think about um the money that's going to come in down the road to help Washington County. And I I just can't see anything but positive. um you know and I and I realize that people uh and I understand that some want to take a extra look at it and things but in all honesty um this this is an an opportunity that I don't think we should kick down the can down the down the road with I think we need to get on the forward with it. So,

thank you, Justice Bruns. I have Justice Lines. I think Justice Dennis has Justice Dennis hasn't spoken yet or spoken yet. That's fine. Thank you. Uh I want to just thank Judge Deakons and uh Brian Le County Attorney Brian Lester as it's listed here. They did a lot of work on this even beforehand and so it's not like it's something new. and we got the report last time or a month ago and uh you know we're dealing with one of our best companies in Northwest Arkansas. Uh I'll be voting yes and I encourage the rest of you to do the same. Thank you.

You're welcome. Here here justice lines. Um [clears throat] if this was an ordinance I'd be ready. I think it's it's very positive but just so we all have complete understanding counselor this is a resolution which basically just says we agree with it let's proceed what's next steps I mean ultimately is it not correct we an ordinance that will have to come through the court and approve to actually move forward at some point is that correct or am I misunderstanding no no so this is this is something so so one of the things that the the county judge position has is authority over local tax matters. Okay.

Um the county court has exclusive original jurisdiction over those matters. So as it comes to something like this, this is actually a decision that's to be made by the county judge. Judge Deakons wanted the quorum court to have some input on that. It's not required, which is why there's no ordinance. And so um before Judge Deakons decided to grant this request, he wanted you all to have a say in [clears throat] whether or not you support this or not. So that's all this is. Uh if this resolution passes by the corn court, then the judge will then begin and will execute what's needed uh for Ozark's go to get the relief that they're requesting and then they'll go from there. Thank you.

Just knowing that he has our support and our input. I have Justice Limming. I just want to say one more thing that Ozark probably wouldn't tell us 100% if we asked them, but about four or five years ago, there was some builders trying to build some chicken houses in the Wedkin area. And they was told by several people that they couldn't build them there because they didn't have enough power to run out there no more. And so some reason the new Wedington station substation come on and and we got to build more chicken houses. So there's probably some truth that they need this power and they need some help to get stuff upgraded to continue growing in this northwest Arkansas which is growing in leaps and bounds. So thank you. Call the vote, please.

Okay, Justice Madison Gail,

just one more quick thing. Um, you know, the way I see it, uh, these infrastructure improvements are going to be made one way or the other. All this does is changes the timing, moves it up so it's done now instead of 10 or 20 years down the road. And if they're waiting 10 or 20 years, that means it doesn't need to be done until 20 10 to 20 years down the road in my opinion. Um, then the other thing it changes is who pays for it. Do the taxpayers pay for it or do their customers pay for it? And I, you know, I have a tendency to to feel that the that the customer needs to be paid paid for these taxers. Great.

Thank you. You're welcome. Is there any public comment? Good evening, sir. If you'd push that button, get the mic on and state your name and where you you and your address, please. Hello, council. Um, my name is Nick Caffrey and I live uh on Divide Street. I believe that puts me in your district, Mr. Dennis. Um, thank you.

Everyone's uh everyone's seems pretty excited about this and I'm not going to say that infrastructure is not necessary, but I do want to be like one person who voices a little bit of a concern about possible risk. You know, when you're making an investment, there's always a possibility it can go risky. And you know, they they were talking about how they've had some of their infrastructure destroyed right after they put it up in tonight's meeting, you know. So, I'm just want everyone to know that I do support infrastructure and I do think the county has a role to play, especially with like a nonprofit uh provider like OO possibly. But, um I think we should be careful that to just realize that there's a risk here and uh the taxpayers could be on the hook for it. So I just want to state that. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. Now it's time to vote. All in favor of the resolution of 11.1 say I. I. All oppose. No. The eyes have it. It will pass on to the full quorum court for adoption or is this it? This it. Okay. But it will not be full court.

Full corn court but not on the due pass recommendation list. Thank you. Moving on to item 12.1, a resolution introduced by JP Lopez. Thank you, chair. Uh, yes. Um, my resolution is pertaining to the ongoing issue of housing federal inmates in the Washington County Detention Center. Um, so I I do want to start by establishing a few premises here. Uh the first of which is that as we've heard tonight, there are people who are not in beds. They are sleeping on the floor, so to speak. Um the other thing that I would like to establish is that we understand some of our obligations as set out by Arkansas state law. Um the first of which is that um counties it's Arkansas code annotated 1241506 uh expense of municipal prisoners held in county jails explicitly states in subsection D county shall give priority to incount municipalities over contracts for outofcount prisoners. Um and then I would like uh again to site as well Arkansas code annotated 1241503 management of local jail populations states in subsection G jail shall except prisoners of the United States government provided space and staffing are available and the delivering agency agrees to pay a predium charge uh not to exceed the actual cost including uh capital costs. Um, so if we are overcrowded, I think by definition, we do not have the space available. We don't even have the space available for all the people who are there are not on federal holds. I believe the numbers that we got from Sheriff Contrell were that we have 66 federal holds. We have 122 people who are not sleeping uh in a

bed of some sort. Um, I think that that's pretty evident just in that that we do not have it. This resolution would be for us uh to encourage um the county sheriff and uh the contracted parties of the county, give me a second, to exercise the 30-day required calendar notice to federal agencies uh to cease the sale of federal bed space in the Washington County Detention Center. And I'm happy to open it up. Yeah. Are are you making a motion? Oh, I'm sorry. I make a motion that we move this to the quorum court.

Second. I have a motion by Justice Lopez to pass this on to the quorum court and I have a second by Justice Koger. Is there any discussion? Justice Lming.

There's a lot of discussion. we could discuss all night, but there's probably uh well, I was talking to Jay earlier and out of the ones that we have here, 36 of them belongs to Washington County residents and and we can say the state, we can say the county, we can say the federal government, but that's all our tax money. I pay federal taxes, I pay state taxes. So, if they're sitting in Little Rock or federal pin somewhere, I'm paying taxes. What's the difference from being right here? And the a lot of these moms and dads that goes to visit these people that's here from our county in our jail, they don't have to drive all the way across the state of Arkansas or all the way across the country somewhere right here is just as good as anywhere. And and to say that there's there's some of our people probably down in Little Rock that they're paying for us or our people somewhere else that's getting paid. So, it's a you're tossing coins either way you go. So it to me we need to leave it alone. Let the federal government be here with us and help us the same as the state prisoners. I mean everywhere is crowded. All federal pens is full. All state pens is full. All county jails is full across this country. So we're going to have to give them a lending hand and help however we can. Thank you.

Thank you. Justice Fleming. Um I have Justice Koger. Yeah, thank you very much, Madam Chair. Um, every available space at the Washington County Detention Center should serve Washington County's own needs. We do not owe the federal government anything. We should not be housing the prisoners. Uh, the federal government we we would we would not if we did not house them, uh, they would be housed somewhere else. But that that would open up beds for us. I think the overcrowding at the jail is severe, very severe. It it adds to staff strain at the jail. It increases the risk of injury, illness, and lawsuits that taxpayers end up paying. And this practice prioritizes revenue over responsibility. It shifts our focus away from reducing jail overcrowding. It does that. it shift us from uh expanding talking about expanding pre-trial services improving safety for both inmates and and staff. What it comes down to, if we cannot meet the needs of our own residents here in Washington County safely and humanely, we have no business contracting with outside agencies to take in more people who are not a responsibility. Our first duty is to the people of Washington County. If you don't mind, Jay, um I'm sorry. Sheriff Cantrol, would you mind answering a few of my questions? I know it's getting late. I get a little daffy. Um thank you. Um and the fir the second whereas it says that this is create uh creating unsafe unsanitary

conditions for both the detainees and jail staff. Is that correct that you would put your the Washington County employees, your staff in an unsafe, unsanitary environment?

I I don't personally believe that it's uh unsanitary. I I think that we have a uh safe and humane jail that we operate down there. We've got a lot of people in that jail, but uh I I think our staff are well trained and our our hiring uh numbers are are getting better and so so I think we're our staff is is uh safe uh whether we have federal prisoners or whether we have state prisoners. What about the unsanitary conditions that you're accused of creating by having these federal prisoners sleep on the floor or anybody sleeping on the floor?

Is that unsanitary? Well, you know, we have uh jail standards that we have to meet and uh jail inspection yearly that the state jail inspector comes up and they've never Have you ever been cited for unsanitary conditions? No. No, ma'am. Okay. Um, can you speak to this resolution that's being proposed?

Well, I'm a law and order guy and uh, you know, I think that uh, uh, this does benefit the citizens of Washington County just this past week. uh three uh pretty serious drug offenders were sentenced in federal court uh for for selling and delivering drugs in Washington County. Uh they've got federal sentences and uh they'll do uh almost 100% of that sentence in the federal prison. And so, uh, you know, this last week, we also had an indictment, uh, for a person who sold fentanyl to a user, a drug user in Washington County that killed that drug user that that they overdosed and died. And that's a Washington County citizen. And this person now is being indicted on federal charges uh, for causing that overdose death. So, so that, you know, I think the federal hammer is pretty heavy. And uh you know, I appreciate uh our federal prosecutors and our US attorney uh taking these cases on these project safe neighborhood cases where people have drugs and firearms together, large quantities of drugs and firearms. So I'm happy to see uh see those people go through the federal system and go to clubfed.

So we're not housing people from New York or Massachusetts or Kentucky or other states? Well, we have nine people here on federal here, weren't they? Well, that that that have addresses from out of state, but they committed crimes in in our local area. Washington County could be Benton County, could be Crawford County, you know, the federal courthouse is in Fagatville. And so, these people are typically here in our jail because they've got a court case in the Fagville US District Court. But what my what my point was, they didn't commit the crime in Kentucky and Kentucky shipping them over here because they don't have any bed space and you have floor space. No, they're they're from from our from our area.

From our area living here, correct? Okay. Are there any other questions? Oh, sorry. I have um Justice Dean. Thank you, Chair. Uh Jay, don't you guys receive some kind of pay from the federal government when you have they pay $80 a day per detainee. So that would help with about two and a quart million in 2024. Bobby estimates 2.375 million in 2026. Very good. Anticipated revenue from the federal detainees.

Okay. Thank you. I have Justice Bruns.

Sheriff, one thing I want to say is that [clears throat] as long as I've known you, you always been a good, hardworking, honest man. And and I think you keep a jail immaculate every time I go down there to visit. And um uh I know that u there are beds that are not uh all alike. Um I know that uh you know the terminology that we have for beds on the floor needs to change. I don't disagree with you at all. I think it should and I'm glad you're doing it. It's this is u um this this whole thing of the u federal detaines you know where else are they going to stay because you are right the federal courthouse is sitting right here in Fagville that's where the judges are going to want them that's where they're going to want to uh uh visit with these folks when they have to that's where the attorneys you want to visit with them. And so my question is, have you ever had a federal employee or federal uh detainee escape from there?

Uh [sighs] I don't know if he was a federal detainee. Yes. Uh not no not from the jail. Uh we had one get out a window at one of the medical clinics that was a federal detainee that we had taken to a medical clinic uh out here on North College, but uh he was only out for an hour or so before he was recaptured, but not not from the jail.

Would you consider these people, most of them very dangerous? I mean, the guy just recently killed a guy with fentanyl. Yeah, I I would uh consider folks that are here on federal charges that are in jail uh to be uh serious criminals. Okay. And we have a very secure jail. Yes, I believe we do. We can't have an escape tonight. It just means we've had a very um secure jail. Yes, I believe we do. Oh my gosh.

And and we do everything we can to hire people to man this jail, men and women alike, and to make sure that we have uh uh uh the right amount of of uh people to make rounds. And uh so what I'm getting at is that we've got a safe area and if we don't have that safe area, what are we going to do with

just let them out? [laughter] I guess that'd be up to the federal judge, but you know, if we don't house them here, then they're probably going to be housed in Oak Mi, Oklahoma. is uh they've got some uh beds contracted down there that that they utilize, but uh that's a long way from the federal uh public offenders and the federal prosecutors and the federal judge. And you know, it's I think a good partnership for us to house these people, keep those relationships strong with our federal partners. So basically, it's going to be a hardship on all the innocent people and not a hardship on them. That's correct.

Okay. Thank you. I have Justice Stafford. Where'd you go? [clears throat] Thank you. Sorry, I messed the buttons up. um the the examples that you gave the the fentinel um uh prosecution and conviction rightly so conviction uh and the other examples I mean those would have been prosecuted and and and tried and and those folks convicted no matter where they were being held. I mean is that yeah well

in my mind you know that that's irrelevant as to where they're being held. I mean, those those folks should be tried and convicted whether they're here, whether they're in Oklahoma, or whether they're somebody somewhere else. Um, you know, I'm not entirely I think it's a good thing that they were convicted. I'm not sure how that's entirely relevant to this. Um, in and the entire time I've been on the quorum court and even before dating back to, you know, 2018 or before, one of the major problems that this quorum court has been trying to solve in conjunction with the sheriff's department has been overcrowding at the jail. I mean, it's it's incredible tonight to hear th this problem being downplayed that we've spent so much time and energy uh working on. In fact, you know, your predecessor, Sheriff Helder, even took it to the voters uh to try to, you know, as as a jail expansion to to as one solution to relieve overcrowding the jail. So, to hear to hear it described tonight as if the overcrowding at the jail is kind of no big deal and not something that we need to address is sort of I'm kind of stunned. Uh to be honest, not from you, but from my colleagues here. Um, but um, you know, I I think that we need to use and and I said this last month, we need to be using every tool in the toolbox to be relieving overcrowding in our jail. And um, you know, I'll make a pitch again to our judges and and prosecutors and public defenders, if you're listening, pre-trial services is something I'd love to see a plan for. Um but in lie of that I think this is one potential solution uh to give priority to folks who are have have convictions at the local level because this is a local jail. It's not a

federal facility. Um thank you. Doesn't the CRI isn't that pre-trial services? The CRI program is pre-trial services. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. Um, next I have uh JP Lopez. Uh, yes. Uh, thank you, chair. I I there's a couple in the court, please. I can hear your voices.

Um, there's a there's a the way that this is framed, I am kind of confused. Uh this was by no means an indictment on how Sheriff Cantrol runs his jail or that anyone at the at the jail house is not committed to doing the best that they can. This is strictly capacities exist for a reason, right? We can acknowledge that the capacity is there because this is saying we believe that in order to maintain our standards, we could house this many people. And what you are telling me and what this court is seeming to to express to me is that that is irrelevant. That is not irrelevant. That's why this building was designed. It was designed for a certain amount of people. And we have not been able to reach that amount of people in a series of years. And now we are looking at a solution to say, hey, let's take care of some of these people that we know that there are 66 of to knock that number down. That is half of the people that we don't have beds for or that we're sleeping on the floor per this report. That's what was expressed today. And you all are telling me that no, that is not a problem, but it's been a problem for five years. I I don't understand that. And and and to be to be frank, I don't accept that as as a genuine rebuttal. Thank you.

Thank you, Justice Dennis. My simple solution is if you can't do do the time, don't do the crime. And let me tell you something else while we're talking. This is not a five-year problem. This has been a 20-year problem.

And the bail the jail was not built large enough. When we asked for a tax to build it bigger, the c the people turned it down. Who has all the votes? Fatville or Springdale? So if you've got Fatville or Springdale and you your people voted it down, then you're not going to get a bigger jail. So you've got to do something else to keep from what? How do you get people to quit doing crimes? Are you saying we're putting people in jail that didn't do the crime? If you're not, then figure out a way to get them to quit doing the crimes and we won't have to have have to put them in jail. Uh it's simple. Don't do the don't do the crime. End of story.

Order in the court. I don't want to hear any laughter or conversations going on. If I can hear you from here, you're too loud. That's a second warning. The third one, I'll ask the baleiff to escort you all out. Please refrain from commenting. It's disrespectful to this court. Thank you. I have Justice Pond

Jay. I just want Sheriff Cantrol. I just wanted to express my appreciation for for what you do and your concern with the health, safety, and welfare of we on the outside and those on the inside, the detainees. And we've really lost something. If when we get to a place where our different branches of law enforcement, different law enforcement entities cannot work together and cooperate together. I appreciate that that you and the federal and the state law enforcement work work together all doing the same thing. You're not in competition. You have the best interest at heart for the people of Washington County, whether we're were inside that jail or outside, and I appreciate it.

Thank you. I have Justice Koger. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'd like to address something that was said by one of my colleagues uh about what we to do but people who keep committing crimes and what we could do about that is address the root causes of incarceration like poverty, lack of opportunity and drug addiction. I would let you do that but the thing is it's about the resolution and the overcrowding in the jail.

Also, if we cancel this contract, it would have immediate impact on the o overcrowding issue. would if we remove the federal prisoners and um addressing overcrowding to me is much more important than having a relationship with the federal government. And I want to read from Arkansas code Trev 41506 section D. County shall give priority to incount municipalities over contracts for out of county prisoners. That's that's a statute and I'm read so I support this and I'm thankful to JP Rivera Lopez for bringing it.

Thank you. I have Justice Ricker. Sheriff Cantrell. Uh out of all the federal prisoners you have, how many of them are only on federal charges? Uh there's 35 that have state charges out of 36. So about 30 of them uh 31 uh only have federal charges. Okay. Thank you.

Looks like nobody else has a comment. Thank you. I appreciate Thank you.

Thank you. Do we have any public comment? Oh gosh. Um because of of of time constraints, I would like to say if you are for the resolution in passing it, please go to this side of the of the room if you would please. If you are going to speak against the resolution, will you please line up on this side of the room? We have 15 minutes to speak or tw I'm sorry, 12 minutes of public comment time and that's all. So, you all decide how you want to spend that 12 minutes and make a public comment. If you're going to be repetitive, just agree with that person and and st and stand up next to them. Thank you. You're gonna state your name and your address. Good evening.

Um my name is Casey Cromer. I live in Fateville, Arkansas. Uh, I had something prepared to read, but after hearing what our elected officials have been saying, um, I'm I'm not going to read that. Um, to Justice Lemming. No, you cannot address any particular. You address the chair. The to the chair. Yes. Only to me. Okay. Um, when you say what's the difference? I didn't say anything

of having let's think about what is the difference of having people um federal prisoners here in our county court or our county jails. the difference between having them here or somewhere else where they can be tried for their crimes when we have 133 or 122 people sleeping on the floor and you're wondering what what how difficult it is for the parents to go drive to Little Rock or drive somewhere else to go visit with their children. Think about those parents when they know that their children are sleeping on the floor with no bed.

That's true. I don't know if any of you have siblings or children, if any of you have any experience of having your family um detained in prison or in jail or if you have had conversations with them on the phone about how their time is there. um and knowing that they are going without just like common human decency when we are um housing them pre-trial or whatever. Um it is it is so awful that people are sleeping on the floors in our jails right now. 133 people. Um and I guess I'll go back to this part. You know, the Arkansas law states that we must prioritize local needs before taking out of county or federal detainees and that jails can only hold federal prisoners if space and staffing are available. Space isn't available. So, we should not have those beds for um uh federal detainees. Um, I guess that's that's the main thing. I'm not going to read that whole thing. Uh, there are people behind me are going to say basically the same thing, so I'll let them do that. Thank you.

Thank you. She turned off the mic. Will you please ceue up the mic again? My name is Erica Martinez and I live in Springdale, Arkansas. I'm here because I believe how we treat people, especially people in custody, says something about all of us. Five years ago, this county passed a resolution asking to end its contract with federal agencies because of unsafe overcrowding. That resolution was never honored. And now, 2025, conditions have only gotten worse with 133 people sleeping on the floor and nearly 100 federal detaininees taking up space. The issue is about leadership and about refusing to profit from harm. Every day that contract continues, our county is choosing to overcrowd an already overwhelmed facility for $80 a day per person. That number might look like income, but it hides the real costs. Millions in expansion, unsafe working conditions, and erosion of public trust. Our community deserves better. The people working in that jail deserve better. And the people being held there, regardless of where they come from, deserve basic human dignity. You have the chance tonight to finish what the county started in 2020, which is ending this contract. Do what you should have done years ago. Let this county stand for compassion and accountability. I really hope that you guys hear this out and vote for this because it is inhumane to have people sleeping on the floor.

Good evening. State your name and your address, please. Hi, my name is Rosita and I live in Fateville. Our community members live in fear every day with the re-implementation of 287G and the heightened law enforcement in our area. We have seen an increased arrest rate of our community members who have been arrested and put into ICE custody. 165 from September 17th to October 30th and 72% of those individuals have been put into holding for ICE. Those individuals have no criminal charges because a person can be held for ICE with no criminal charges. Many of these individuals are being arrested in Bitten County who does not sell their beds to ICE because they are overcrowded as we are. We are overcrowded and those individuals are being sent down to Washington County. So what would so what it would appear is that Washington County and other law enforcements are being incentivized by current agreement by the current agreement to fill beds for financial incentive at $80 a day. And by doing so, law enforcement is profiling our community members, whether intentionally or not, of who fits these parameters. Last time 287G existed in Washington County, the justices of the peace at that time decided to break these ties with the program because it wasn't working for our community. If it didn't work then, why do we think it works now? I'm asking all of you to consider the well-being of your community members. I'm asking you to reconsider the selling of beds to ICE. This program only disrupts our community, creating fear among our neighbors who fear that their families may be ripped apart at any moment.

Thank you. Is this the last one? Public comment. Please state your name and your address, please.

Hello. Uh my name is Alejandro Victorino. Uh I am a resident of Fateville. Um firstly and foremostly I would like to thank you all for giving us uh the time to speak and for allowing us to have your undivided attention. Um most of my colleagues and friends and uh community members have probably already said what I was going to say. So I've just got one last thing uh to add on my part. Um you know we just had a great weekend. Uh I hope that everybody had a wonderful Sunday. I know I did. Um, I don't know how many of y'all attend church, but um, something a little food for thought uh, from Hebrews 13:1 through three. Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers. For by doing so, for by doing so, some people have shown hospitality to strangers uh, to angels without knowing. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison. and those of you who are mistreated as if you are yourselves suffering. Whether or not these people have committed crimes, we should treat them as human beings. Overcrowding has been an issue for years. Whether or not they're sleeping on the floor or they're sleeping on a small little mattress or in a sleeping bag, these people deserve basic human requirements that are met by our county. And we deserve to treat them well and we deserve to treat them in a way that like my friend just said, if they were our our children, we would be okay with seeing them in those situations because everyone deserves a chance at redemption. Thank you. and I hope that you all reconsider uh your positions on this matter.

Thank you. Good evening. Public comment time. Please state your name and where you're from, please.

Hi, my name is Angela Hines. I'm a [clears throat] resident of uh Fyetville. Uh it was actually 15 years ago today that a committee of community members and sheriff's office gathered together to identify four guiding principles that were going to guide the sheriff's office. Those were integrity, professionalism, respect, and fairness. They expanded on the principle of respect, writing, "Respect is our pledge to treat everyone with dignity, understanding, and compassion. Yet, as I learned that inmates are regularly sleeping on dirty concrete floors of overcrowded cells, I do not see dignity. I do not see understanding, and I certainly do not see compassion." These guiding principles I've mentioned are so core to our values as a community that they're still in the Sheriff's Creed today. A decade and a half later, that creed states, "I pledge before God and my community to faithfully perform my duties with integrity, professionalism, respect, and fairness. I will bring a good attitude to work and take responsibility for all of my actions. I will have the courage to do the right thing for the right reasons without exception." It is in the spirit of these principles that last month I submitted a foyer request to the sheriff's office requesting intake information for all detainees in 2025. I'm concerned that not only was my request not acknowledged within a 3-day business period as required by law, but I had to request a response twice more through email seven business days later and have yet to receive complete records or an estimated delivery time. Additionally, and most alarmingly, I was informed that the records of inmates detained by local immigration officials will not be provided. As a taxpaying member of this community, I am horrified that my county representatives will allow a federal agency to hold individuals in our jail system while denying access to those public records. At its core, this means the federal government could come into this community, detain a member of this county in a prison that is funded by their own tax dollars, and local officials in Washington County will usher this community member into a

crowded jail cell to sleep on a dirty floor for days without question, without transparency. The scenario is not imagined. It's real. We should be a strong local democracy with a citizen oversight. Yet, we are continuing to allow the federal government to drain our limited resources at the expense of our community. It is my hope and prayer today that the committee has the courage to do the right thing for the right reasons without exception. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Public comment time. Please state your name and your address.

Sarah Moira Fagatville. Um, one of the things too that I I want to bring up to add on to the comments is that that hasn't been stated is that um during our federal contract renegotiation to the $80 a day, uh we also not long after that that happened because of the resolution that was passed in 2020 asking um to end that contract. And so that allowed some negotiation to the $80 a day. Uh, additionally, we were asked if there might be some specific um beds that could be set to the side potentially for the for the feds. It's very interesting that after voters said in November 2022, no to gel expansion, we used our COVID relief money to build 88 beds at the tune of $18.8 million. I think there was a statute that was read earlier that said that there was a permium or per day cost that was supposed to be put with all in capital cost. I think we could do the math pretty simply to understand that we're getting to about 90 federal detainees at one time. We're building 88 beds. That math to me seems to add up. That that $18.8 million expansion that we're doing is for the federal government. And I'd like for us to recoup all of those those costs that they are acrewing to the local taxpayer because that is not our burden. And I'd like to hear from this body and from county judge if that's not the case. I like to hear that and see that explained because again the math doesn't math. Additionally,

your time is expired. Thank you, Miss Moore. Thank you. And time is expired. We're now voting on the resolution. Going to we're going to go ahead and and do that. We have a motion in a second to extend madam that time. You have to have the floor. We're voting on the resolution. Motion to extend time. Motion denied. You have to vote on that. You don't get to make that decision. Madam chair, let us speak.

I don't believe anybody was recognized to speak or make a motion on the floor. Nobody was given the floor. And that right and that privilege and that authority belongs to the chair regardless of who they are belongs with the people not you. I'm the people anyway. All in favor

I would like to shame on you. Say all in favor of passing the resolution say I stand up. I. One, two, three, four, five. All opposed of the resolution, please stand up. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. The resolution fails. Moving on to item number 13.1

JP Burns.

This is a clarification of a ordinance that is already in existence and I just wanted for safety purposes to have us look at it as possibly extending um on it. [clears throat] And uh [snorts] if you look down, you'll see the changes uh on number two. That would be line number 33. [snorts] Uh, all road equipment operated by Washington County, Arkansas shall have the official seal of the Washington County, Arkansas in a 24 inch diameter round. Now, I I did have somebody say something to me earlier that the rest of them were 12 that are outside and I went and measured them and they were correct. They were 12 instead of 24. So and then um as we continue on uh whenever possible as permitted by the design of the vehicle [snorts] the Randelle shall be a fixed on the driver's door uh side door and the passenger side door of each vehicle required to display the county seal as provided in this ordinance.

[snorts]

which um I am asking that uh for the safety of our citizens which I can say to you that I have been many um situations called to um help on emergency issues. issues and and uh there's a lot of people that are asked to help with traffic, help with issues that know nothing about law enforcement, know nothing about um [snorts] uh who people are. And for us not to have that insignia on a vehicle is endangering the lives of people during emergency situation which mostly is complex in its own to begin with. And so I am asking that we extend this to say all vehicles not uh uh just certain ones. So,

thank you. Um, colleagues, I will draw your attention to the heading. It says an ordinance amending Washington County Code section 230.4 and for other purposes. You can't do that. We cannot amend a county code. Now, we can amend a county ordinance, but this says county code. If you would like to submit this, withdraw this for tonight and submit it to the uh county attorney for proper uh vetting and language. Um you can do so, but this is this is not a in proper form. [snorts]

Um submit it to who? To the county attorney. There is no county attorney. Okay. Um Huh. How many times has he told us excuse me that Mr. Bruns if you want we can either withdraw this and you submit it for proper vetting and legal language but this is this is not a a legal um document for us to amend because we cannot amend county codes we amend county ordinances.

Okay. Okay. So, I need to change the the word code to ordinance. But do you know which ordinance that you're amending? Yes. I've got a copy of it, but I don't have it with me. I [snorts] would suggest that you would turn this in and have a conversation with the county attorney to get this in proper form. No county attorney. There's a judge's attorney. There's no county attorney. I'm going to ask you to keep in proper decorum and show respect to this court, please. I am. No. Um I I beg to differ with you.

So this is this [snorts] is not in proper form and so I'm I'm ruling that this cannot be voted on and there can be no discussion. There can be no motion. Why are we not uh making a motion that we Because it's unconstitutional. It's unlawful. You can't do this. I'm telling you it you cannot amend this. So, thank you. It's It's up to you to decide if you want to engage in pursuing this, then submit it properly and get it vetted and then reintroduce it at next month's meeting.

Okay. So I can get it vetted with a with an attorney. No, with the county attorney, Mr. Brian Lester. No, I don't have to go to Mr. Brian Lester. According to the choice, I'm not going to argue with I'm not going to argue with you. Thank you very much. But this is improper. So, end of discussion. Thank you. With that said, this meeting is adjourned. Public comment, I'm sorry, public comment time. I apologize, it's late.

Thank you all for public comment time. Am I on? Okay. I'm a familiar face. My name is Mary McKini. I live at 19980 Lake View Road. I'm here to just draw your attention to something because I don't think you've been informed. And soon as I and and if I'm wrong, correct me and I won't send this email that I have prompted to send in August August 21st. This body voted 10 to 10 to zero or 10 to five, I'm sorry, to not repeal the ordinance denying Eaglerrest recovery, the CUP. There was one person that abstained and there was nine votes that voted in opposition of repealing that ordinance. County Attorney Lester told you that if we don't repeal this ordinance, we will be in a federal lawsuit and we will be challenged for discrimination. Well, that was true. And you were and you are still 10 of you were deposed. My brother and I petitioned to intervene in that federal lawsuit. We were denied intervention on October 29th. October 31st, County Attorney Lester submitted a motion that now this is a moot and I'll read it to you. He circumvented this court's wishes 10 to zero. You repeal, you voted to not repeal their cup. found a way around it. I've been dealing

with this for 37 months. It's been an uphill climb all the way. The planning commission denied it. This body denied the CUP. It went to district court. We had an appeal attempt happened in the dark of night, not putting it on the agenda. Glad that Judge Deakons is here tonight to hear this. And that that repeal got ruled null and void by Judge Martin. Now, here we are. Federal court case and Lester's submitted on two days after our intervention was denied defendants motion to dismiss and on moot grounds. Right. You redefined the definition of single family when you when you updated the uh ordinance. I guess now that's retroactive because he says in this that I'm going to send you that now Eagle Crest meets the definition of single family. Two or more people in one bedroom unrelated on a permanent foundation. Times up. Thank you, Brian Lester.

I will send this document. You all have been circumvented. Good evening. Good evening.

My name is Beth Koger. I live in Fateville, Arkansas. I've been serving on this court. I've had a privilege and a pleasure to serve on this court, but only for I'm in my third year, but a lot of you sitting around this horseshoe have been here a lot longer than that. So, I want you to just ask yourself, how many times have we made a motion to extend time for people to speak without being recognized by the chair? Tonight I made that motion and then when the chair wouldn't would said I had to be recognized, I pushed my button to be recognized. The chair refused to recognize me. These people who wanted to speak have been sitting here in this meeting all all this time with us. They deserve to be heard. If we can't give them the few minutes, then there's something wrong with us. We need to think about that. Uh, and I'm just asking that you uh for in the future that we address how we're going to do that because it's that's not how it's been done. People have made motion to extend time repeatedly without being recognized by the chair. And what do you do when the chair won't recognize you?

How much time do we have?

Public comment time. Please state your name and your address, please. My name is Jesse Buchanan and I'm a resident of Fagetville, Arkansas. And I had a lot of things planned to say that were either said by somebody else or made null and void and unimportant by the way that we have been treated. Tonight has been made very clear that you will not be listening to us regardless of how many of us have showed up to speak and sat through this entire meeting. I'm sorry that we are asking you to do your job and represent the people of this county who have repeatedly expressed that we do not want the federal government to be using our jail. We do not want the jail expansion and we are concerned about the overcrowding. So we are looking for action to actually address the overcrowding and this resolution is one of the first things that a JP has has put forward in this body to actually address the issue that we have been saying we need to address for years. And we are very grateful that that was even put forward in the first place. And we all came here hoping to spend our time to ask you to do your job and represent the people and make a decision on behalf of the people. and we were instead dismissed, disregarded, and we were denied time to speak to you. Um, our JPS who attempted to speak up for us were disrespected and we were trying to ask you to have human decency and respect for those who are being charged with crimes and held in our jail. We were asking you to have human decency and respect for the people who are being held in Washington County Jail so that they don't have to be subject to inhumane treatment. But you aren't even showing respect to the people who have showed up and sat through this meeting to talk to you about it. So I have no expectation that you actually care about the people who are in our jail. So I hope that you keep this in mind

when you're asking people to vote for you in the future. I hope every single one of you keeps this in mind when you plan to run for reelection because we will still be here and we will still care about the people who are in our jail and we will remember that you do not care about them or us. Thank you. Thank you. Public comment time. Please state your name and your address again.

Casey Cromer. I live in Fateville, Arkansas. Thank you. Uh tonight I heard some elected officials um at the beginning of this quorum court um share some very heartfelt and moving things about uh people who have been sex traffick trafficked in Northwest Arkansas and how we talked about how the the trauma that comes with things like that oftent time leads to what we know as the rip tide. side of our criminal justice system. People who have um been exposed to travesties like sex trafficking, we know, are often um convicted of drug use, using the credit cards to go buy money so that their um sex trafficker can sell those things illegally and get more money and more people. We just heard that tonight. the that's the type of population that makes up our courts, I mean our our jails and our prisons. And to hear some of our justices say, "If you can't do the crime, don't do the time." You're not looking at the people in the jails as human beings when just 30 an hour and a half before you were. It is inhumane to put people on the floor. It is cold right now. It's cold in here. Imagine how it feels right now in the Washington County jail on the on the concrete floor with people who haven't been convicted. They're waiting pre-trial, who have parents who are worried about them.

people who have had a history of abuse, of abandonment, of homelessness, and this is how our elected officials are going to speak about them. It's shameful. Every time I come to this court, I am shocked and appalled at the way you speak of people in our county and the way you speak to each other. Every time I come back here and I think maybe it will be different, but it is clear that until you are voted out, it will not change.

Good evening. Hi. State your name and your address, please. Um, Angela Hines. I just wanted to say that I reside in district 7 and I plan on sitting at this table next year. Thank you.

Good evening. State your name and your address.

Yes, my name is Lou Reed Sharp. I live at 1739 Steel Road, Tony Town, Arkansas. And I just want to say that I am so proud of JP Koger to all the JPS that continually stand up and have their voices squashed and I am appalled that we don't take public comments. And that's why many of us are in fact going to run and work hard to flip this court because we do want our voices heard. We don't want our voices squashed through Robert's rules of order and being called out of order. We're people, too, just like people in the jail. But at least JP Lopez put forward a motion to or a resolution that we could at least discuss. We can find balance between each other when we treat treat each other civily. Many of you I have met over the last five or six years. I can call you on the phone, but we have to treat people with respect. And so I'm going to do everything in my power to help flip this court. Doesn't matter who, but we need to listen to each other. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi, Sarah Moore, still in Fagetville. Um, I just wanted to make a public request at the next county services meeting that we get a full accounting of the over 60% uh gel expansion project of 18.8 8 million of our taxpayer dollars. Um it's been stated that this is over 60% complete. Um and in some of the initial documents we've looked at, some of those um components are coming in way over budget. Um I think it's part of your responsibility to get an update on that publicly um of all the accounting for what has happened so far with the construction cost where we're coming in um and to understand where this project seems like it will close. You're in the middle of budget conversations for 26 and we need to know what we're accounting for financially. Thank you.

Thank you. With that public comment time is ended. This meeting is adjourned.