Today we’re starting with Point #1 in our breakdown of Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins’ record: spending.
Under Deakins, county spending increased 51% over four years, while revenues rose just 0.04%. That gap alone should alarm taxpayers.
But the problem goes deeper.
Over the last four years, Deakins increased the County Judge’s budget by 69%, including shifting half of his salary to the Road Department starting in 2024. During the same period, the County Judge’s salary increased 21%.
The County Attorney’s budget increased 57%, while the County Attorney’s salary increased 21% and the Deputy County Attorney’s salary increased 90%.
Spending on outside legal counsel has surged, largely to defend the county in lawsuits that Deakins himself filed or provoked over the past three years—costs paid by taxpayers.
Credit card use is also out of control. P-Card spending by the County Judge, County Attorney, and Deputy County Attorney has increased sharply, according to FOIA responses.
COVID funds offer another example. Washington County paid more than $700 per square foot for a single 11,000-square-foot Emergency Operations Center, with total costs nearing $9 million. By comparison, Washington County, Oklahoma, built three EOC buildings using COVID funds at roughly $200 per square foot.
These aren’t isolated decisions. They are a pattern.
Washington County cannot afford another term of Patrick Deakins, and this is only the first reason why.
- Hey Big Spender!
Deakins increased the Countywide Budget spending by 51% in 4 years with only a .04% rise in revenues.
1 (a) – Part 1. Deakins increased the County Judge Budget by 69% in 4 years (moving 1/2 of his salary
to the Road Dept starting in 2024)
1 (a)- Part 2. Deakins increased the County Judge’s salary by 21% in 4 years.
1(b) – Part 1: Deakins increased the County Attorney Budget by 57% in 4 years.
1(b)-Part 2: Deakins increased the County Attorney’s Salary by 21% and increased the Deputy County Attorney’s Salary by 90% in 4 years.
1(c) Deakins significantly increased spending for outside legal counsel to defend the County from lawsuits that he filed or provoked in the last 3 years.
Plus, in December 2025, County paid RMP, LLC (local law firm) $500K in settlement of a case where our county attorney and county judge claimed the Quorum Court discriminated against Plaintiffs.i
1(d): P Card (credit card) use and spending is out of control by the County Judge, the County Attorney, and the Deputy County Attorney. (See FOIA Responses)
1(e): Covid $ — paid $700+/sq feet for a single 11,000 sq ft new building for Washington County’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Total costs=near $9MM.
While at the same time, Oklahoma’s Washington County built 3 buildings for their new EOC for $200+/sq ft. with those same COVID $. (See Press Releases-footnote cites).ii
It appears Patrick Deakins did not learn from his home state of Oklahoma how to spend taxpayers’ dollars conservatively!
Early voting for the Washington County judge race begins February 17, and Election Day is March 3.
Source: https://www.washingtoncountyar.gov/government/departments-a-e/comptroller/budgets
i https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2025/dec/18/washington-county-oks-500000-to-settle-eaglecrest/
ii Arkansas’ Washington County EOC costs: $9MM:
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2025/sep/24/washington-county-cuts-ribbon-on-new-hardened
Oklahoma’ Washington County EOC costs: $6.6MM:
