At the regular meeting of the Washington County Quorum Court on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Justices of the Peace will vote on an ordinance written at the direction of the County Judge Patrick Deakins, titled The Freedom and Property Preservation Zoning Act of Washington County.
But we would argue it’s anything but that.
We already have freedom under current law. This ordinance does the opposite — adding layers of government control, regulation, and bureaucracy where there currently are none. Instead of preserving freedom and property rights, it restricts them.
This proposal has stirred controversy for months. And for good reason — no one can clearly explain what problem it’s supposed to solve. There’s been no public outcry, no real grassroots demand. So why is it being pushed so hard?
This proposed ordinance was not generated by the Washington County Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment (*see below for recitation of its responsibilities from the Washington County website), but instead – it was written solely by the executive branch. On page 34, decision-making is removed, and powers are given to the County Judge alone. Review the embarrassing power grab below:
The Planning Board promotes public interest in planning, drafts plans and ordinances, and advises the Quorum Court on development proposals. It also administers adopted ordinances and ensures land use complies with AR Code § 14-17-205. So why, then, was the Planning Board not even given a chance to take a vote on this ordinance?
Milton Friedman said, “The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.” But in this case, no one has come forth to even say what the problem is!
From the start, this 156-page ordinance has been bloated — packed with everything and the kitchen sink. It’s vague, overly complex, and gives sweeping, ultimate authority to one person–the County Judge. Worst of all, it shifts power away from the people and into the hands of centralized county government.
If passed, this so-called “Freedom” ordinance will mean less freedom for property owners — not more.
So we’ll keep asking: Who asked for this? And who really benefits?
- Blatant power grab by the County Judge — pg 34: The County Judge’s decision “shall” be final
- The Quorum Court “sent” the ordinance to the Planning Board for a “Public Hearing”
- At the May 1, 2025 “public meeting,” three members went on record with their intention – wanting to table the ordinance, since a vote was not taken
- JP Beth Coger spoke at the meeting in opposition — Coger warned the officials of potential lawsuits, stating that the “public meeting” did not meet the statutory requirements
- Watch here
- WATCH: Former Planning Board Member: On Proposed Zoning Ordinance: “This is government overreach at the highest level”
- WATCH: Will NWA County’s Proposed Zoning Act Limit Property Rights?
- NWA EDITORIAL | An appointee’s strong disagreement over public policy isn’t a reason worthy of removal
- NWA DemGaz: County Judge “lacks confidence” in Washington County Planning Board member, seeks his removal | Quorum Court action required, but attorney raises due process concerns
- The More You Know: The Purpose of the Planning Board
- *See Washington County Website for definition and responsibilities of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment: https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-f-z/planning/the-planning-board
CONTACT YOUR JP AND TELL THEM TO SUPPORT PROPERTY OWNERS AND VOTE NO ON THIS ORDINANCE.
Washington County Justices of the Peace
MEETING INFO:
Washington County Quorum Court Meeting — Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 6pm
Washington County Courthouse
280 North College
Fayetteville, AR
Meetings are live-streamed on the County’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar
| Bradley Bruns – District 1 | bradley.bruns@washingtoncountyar.gov | 479-466-1700 |
| David Wilson – District 2 | dwilson@washingtoncountyar.gov | 870-323-1836 |
| Robert Massingill – District 3 | Robert.Massingill@washingtoncountyar.gov | 79-427-1929 |
| Vladimir Rivera Lopez – District 4 | Vladimir.Lopez@washingtoncountyar.gov | |
| Kyle Lyons – District 5 | kylelyons@washingtoncountyar.gov | (501) 503-0543 |
| Lisa Ecke – District 6 | lecke@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 200-6134 |
| Charles Dean – District 7 | CDean@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 274-0419 |
| Shawndra Washington – District 8 | SWashington@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 287-7951 |
| Beth Coker – District 9 | bcoger@washingtoncountyar.gov | 479-306-9994 |
| Robert Dennis – District 10 | rdennis@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 409-6904 |
| Suki Highers – District 11 | SHighers@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 310-0510 |
| Evelyn Rios Stafford – District 12 | estafford@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 879-2068 |
| Willie Leming – District 13 | WLeming@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 236-5799 |
| Gary Ricker – District 14 | GRicker@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 841-6600 |
| Butch Pond – District 15 | bpond@washingtoncountyar.gov | (479) 879-5594 |
A FEW POISON PILLS FROM THE PROPOSE ORDINANCE:
Are we growing government with a new zoning official appointed by the county judge?
Click here to view the entire 156 page document.
