[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520243,"mediaKeyId","5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80","parentId",5334284,"title","Resident tells committee landfill may be accepting hazardous material; ADEQ oversight questioned","audioSeconds",62,"startMs",3754000,"endMs",3816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80&start=3754&end=3816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80/thumbnail_3754000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520243/Washington-County/Arkansas/Resident-tells-committee-landfill-may-be-accepting-hazardous-material-ADEQ-oversight-questioned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520243-1080cbc6716078cf30f71fb733c5a22e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138979&Signature=LTh7osJaTtHg-RYzTTlb3NMG4J-doG~fCtWIwaixyhK0u9PA~G8-XeahUF90WMXSAVujINYytj8LznfJowrLGzRHOx1kUSIWnlEV57qJr5ivTVszWoAJuRl2lr6Q6gjwl-lGDEStt1lpkCSfn1CmghjZc6cLSqBzPBvUnf04bQIv6qNdJGYAiqKYNh3kkaYhL0tpRWbfv6R2oG-Bhzs3L6taY8uQLeW-8JQAVCvhoSTupvcYMCXQFDjGlU2uMOOlYA2jni7VGq9Z-wlw8bqxb8q5Y3M51yDYDUzthVj3-4VVko7fdPG0C45soYcGFntzsjm1Aa80m50ONeU424kbjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County","date","2025-07-09T12:30:36Z","article","During the citizen comment period of the Washington County Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee meeting, resident Kenneth Lovett said he and neighbors near the Waste Management landfill are experiencing health effects and that hazardous materials, including paint and solvents, are being placed in a facility permitted for nonhazardous waste.

Lovett said he moved to the area expecting typical landfill odor but not the exposure he described. \"Paint cans, paint thinner, construction waste, you name it, it's in there,\" he told the committee. He said the gas-to-energy plant built in 2012 and an RNG (renewable natural gas) plant added in 2023 have worsened gas-related problems and that Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has not adequately regulated the site in his view. He said he has been in contact with ADEQ since 2021 and will continue to press the agency.

Lovett asked the committee to recognize the issue and said the situation has caused physical harm to some residents. He said the landfill's permit is for nonhazardous waste and that the presence of hazardous material in landfills presents risks to neighbors.

No county action on the landfill was taken at the meeting; Lovett addressed the committee during the public-comment portion and said he is following up with ADEQ enforcement staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Washington County Finance & Budget Committee Meeting 07/08/25","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told the Washington County committee that the local Waste Management landfill is accepting hazardous materials and producing gases that have harmed nearby residents, and said state regulators have not adequately enforced rules.","taxTitle","Washington County, Arkansas","taxId",4592,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520248,"Committee forwards six budget and grant ordinances to full court; one resolution removed from consent",1692,2242000,3934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80&start=2242&end=3934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80/thumbnail_2242000.jpg","/articles/6520248/Washington-County/Arkansas/Committee-forwards-six-budget-and-grant-ordinances-to-full-court-one-resolution-removed-from-consent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520248-a217ed5b58f59271186f6ea3cfffb04b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138979&Signature=oNLSKVw46DoztILFSw2mseJng4yKOrIRsOOnWMIPEPVJp6ejloafj-FcRo8X6-6HoD6yv1ivwiiXLvlThyVBZ0WiFm-Q6SAb-~KjmHn1CZd88VbFDXegGFIhOsyxnbjRDlnY0ki-GiW4q5nz57PYRp-iWm02wU9k0YumyL5NUy~Nn8eqJyPEe0DDRPLywN7S47gPQxPyCf2zn3d2AHZAO-z0jH225oLTZqs~MyAkjKLenmoTRwCIEkpR3KmsZpxC0W316O4S1CXYaWJ5-2Y37xjVYYE7bQhwrMqTHdpt4pjEppGnfbOY2gbVGgNcKQkpj7j2P5ga42mtwgaA1kZqMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee on Monday forwarded six ordinances to the full quorum court with \"do pass\" recommendations and prepared a consent agenda for the next full-court meeting.

Summary of committee actions:

- Item 7: Ordinance amending the assessor's 2025 budget to provide for professional development recognition payments. Motion to send to the full court with a do-pass recommendation by JP Lending, second by JP Dean. The committee approved the recommendation on a voice vote.

- Item 8: Ordinance recognizing additional revenue in the court security grant fund (amount as stated in the ordinance). JP Ricker moved to forward the item; the committee approved a do-pass recommendation. During discussion Ricker questioned the figure as he misread the amount, but the committee proceeded to forward the item.

- Item 9: Ordinance amending the AOC juvenile court division 3 grant fund for 2025 to recognize additional grant revenue and reappropriate it. Motion to forward by JP Ricker, second by JP Dean; committee approved.

- Item 10: Ordinance amending the prosecuting attorney's 2025 budget. Prosecuting Attorney explained he is not requesting new money overall but wants to transfer about $4,500 from the hot-check fund to cover cell-phone costs for the remainder of the year. JP Ecki moved to forward; JP Dean seconded. Committee approved the do-pass recommendation.

- Item 11: Ordinance anticipating additional revenue in the Wheeler Road bridge fund (grant) and reappropriating it. JP Ricker moved the item forward; the committee approved. Assessor Russell explained the grant carries a 25% local match and that the county plans to meet its share; she said ARDOT meetings were scheduled to refine the estimate.

- Item 12: Ordinance amending the county attorney's 2025 budget to add funding for a part-time law clerk (about 20 hours per week). County Attorney said the clerk position will provide legal research support; JP Eke moved to forward and JP Dean seconded. Committee approved.

After these items were advanced, the committee moved to place items 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 on the consent agenda for the full quorum court. JP Stafford moved to remove item 14 from the consent agenda; that motion was accepted and item 14 was addressed separately.

None of the committee actions recorded a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript; each item was advanced by voice vote and reported as passing in committee.

The committee did not adopt final ordinances; forwarding items with a \"do pass\" recommendation sends them to the full quorum court for final consideration and any required appropriations.","The Washington County Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee voted to forward six ordinances (items 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) to the full quorum court with \"do pass\" recommendations and placed them on the consent agenda; item 14 was removed from consent and handled separately.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520253,"Finance committee hears midyear budget update; general fund reserves $2.5 million",1219,216000,1435000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80&start=216&end=1435","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6520253/Washington-County/Arkansas/Finance-committee-hears-midyear-budget-update-general-fund-reserves-25-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520253-3555429fe04c32f561a9620d0770947f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138979&Signature=Dtfvmpe3V9FWZiYLSaWHtushoQhgIkqcZikiZmVfCVZRxLNGPMQYDg3rfd8vX8hQDBhmlulGNv8L9jroxkI~y8xDAINbVJnam7rl0XmSDVvA6sDvoRKZDc2nZRm3axUdF7vJatqy0igr2uOUMOn28cboS~hyNWZs3ClBtbdHOKuvcbDF03FcuAzbhXIs--OJlvV5AejND4105IILAupV6jV5LgeEOFNpJS6qQD9leeMjiphN3gGvL4fIEJL1jcQeR4nViTZGKSyHSfmHk6HfTyFMEGgO5I6ezxtZh-uCC1G77myJAwlmOQLid3DdjX2vMA~VjBa74S5VOunvKBrx5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Treasurer Hill and Comptroller Sherman reported midyear financial results to the Washington County Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee during its July meeting, saying the county remains in generally strong financial condition but monitoring health-plan claims and some grant-driven budget increases.

Treasurer Hill told the committee the county began the month with about $96.3 million in cash and ended the month with roughly $93.3 million. He said the county expended about $1.5 million of ARPA funds in the month, including roughly $940,000 for COVID mitigation and about $500,000 for an ELC construction project.

Hill reported sales-tax receipts were up year over year. He said the 1-cent sales tax brought in $933,000 for the reporting period (a 4.3% increase over the same time last year) and was 5.8% higher year to date. He said the quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to the jail totaled about $1.4 million and is up roughly 5.6% through the comparable period, with about $549,000 more than through the same point in 2024.

Comptroller Paul Sherman briefed the committee on appropriations and reserves. He said the county's unappropriated general fund reserves stand at $2.5 million and that the county has appropriated about $53 million in the general fund so far and spent about $22 million, which Sherman said leaves the general fund approximately $3.6 million under budget through six months. He also said countywide appropriations total about $150 million, with about $59 million spent and $12 million encumbered.

Sherman reviewed major mission funds: roads were appropriated about $16.7 million with $7.8 million spent and some encumbrances; jail operations were appropriated $29.1 million with encumbrances and vacancies affecting personnel budgets. After a question from JP Stafford about a numeric mismatch, Sherman corrected an earlier statement and said the jail operations and maintenance fund is under budget by about $2 million through six months.

On the county health-insurance fund, consultant/benefits presenter Mr. Angel reported monthly gross costs of roughly $730,000, but significant rebates reduced net spending. He said the plan received a $40,000 guaranteed credit tied to retention of the pharmacy benefit manager and an Rx rebate of about $233,000, bringing net spend for the month to about $457,000 and producing a $137,000 surplus relative to the budgeted funding level for that month. Sherman said the insurance fund was budgeted at $9 million for the year and is at about 50% of budget through midyear; he noted the fund balance has decreased from about $3 million when he took office to below $1 million and that stop-loss insurance is in place if claims spike.

Committee members asked for additional detail at budget time, including a breakdown of road department leases and a closer look at the Johnson Controls debt buyout option. JP Lenny asked how many employees take county health insurance; Sherman said the county employs about 625 full-time staff but did not have on-hand the number enrolled in the health plan and offered to provide that figure later.

No committee action was required on the reports; members moved several ordinances and resolutions later in the meeting.","Treasurer and comptroller reported midyear financials to the Washington County Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee, citing rising sales-tax receipts, recent ARPA expenditures, and a health-insurance fund at about 50% of budget through midyear.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520258,"Committee backs resolution to seek $1.5 million grant to expand Community Reentry Initiative",441,2729000,3170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80&start=2729&end=3170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334284-a2e62156d3bc70cb10ea4069ebf10a80/thumbnail_2729000.jpg","/articles/6520258/Washington-County/Arkansas/Committee-backs-resolution-to-seek-15-million-grant-to-expand-Community-Reentry-Initiative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520258-581332489a9675c5b844918fcb1c6212/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138979&Signature=JcVX1Hr-GGlrWJKrF3c~D3S11g~fuopYkbIq64VAlJuuJtYIHQdT5dr~WVl3OiMYSRHpHK1733ACnarPXSpLwOfh2mP3ZAQQsatKkFUe1g6nhMJ5UoWo4tdm3rilgDmCAPrAVuMckN-xg0vutlfUXP66HmtxTpHaPkyytmWNkD336CeciVOB8y9kfeVjSi4s0Q-2j2irdByfhVv1kQC5kVTfekYIPOm2K4nvfQOO8tXTGQh5jlAn6WvINTbopP2EDyMJrkswBMjIoBYl7RHM3N7C8SRsoLQBrhzhn-1Hm24PxR3zpJ9UZG-dUUNsYD0eu11YONnq097C68RDyJaNnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee on Monday voted to forward to the full quorum court a resolution authorizing the county judge to apply for a $1.5 million federal grant to expand the county's Community Reentry Initiative (CRI), including a planned program for women.

County officials said the grant would pay for upgrades to the old county jail building being assessed for reuse and would focus on logistics such as laundry and kitchen capacity so CRI can serve more people and support job-skills programming.

Judge (Washington County) said the county has taken back possession of the old jail and noted ongoing building assessments. \"We're assessing that building to see where the mechanicals are at, what kind of shape it's in,\" the judge said. He told committee members the HVAC and plumbing appear serviceable but the electrical system needs further review. He said the goal is to expand CRI to serve women and to use the larger building to provide economies of scale for laundry and food service.

Assessor Russell told the committee the grant request is for $1,500,000 and carries a 20% local match, which she said can be met with a mix of community cash and in-kind contributions from volunteers and county staff. \"The cash matches the in kind match will not be challenging,\" Russell said. She said the match can include county staff time, volunteer labor and nonprofit support. Russell said the county has documented in-kind commitments and will refine a budget as grant writing continues.

Committee members pressed for additional details on costs and operations. The judge estimated annual program operating costs of about $1 million but said that number covers program staff and services and does not fully include additional sheriff's office staffing or other jail-related costs. He said the county is seeking multiyear funding and other grants to secure ongoing operating revenue.

Advocates and residents spoke during public comment. Sarah Moore, executive director of the Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, said she was concerned about long-term operating costs and about using the building in a way that effectively creates additional jail beds. \"The expansion when we look at putting more people that are in a jail setting is that we are adding jail beds,\" Moore said, and urged the county to clarify funding sources before committing to long-term operations. Another resident, Edward Karsis, asked whether the $300,000 local-match figure is an annual requirement and whether the county can secure that amount in time for the project.

Committee members and the judge emphasized that the resolution authorizes only the application process; it does not commit the county to accept or fund the grant if it is awarded. County staff said some applications require a quorum-court resolution before the application can proceed.

A motion by Justice of the Peace Dean, seconded by JP Palm, to send the resolution to the full quorum court with a \"do pass\" recommendation carried on a voice vote in committee. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript.

If secured, the funds would be used first for physical upgrades (kitchen, laundry, secured internal access between buildings) and to support the proposed women's program; officials said program design and ongoing operating funding remain under development.","The Washington County Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee voted to forward a resolution authorizing the county judge to apply for a $1.5 million grant to expand the Community Reentry Initiative, including a planned women's program and upgrades to an old jail building.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident tells committee landfill may be accepting hazardous material; ADEQ oversight questioned

Committee forwards six budget and grant ordinances to full court; one resolution removed from consent

Finance committee hears midyear budget update; general fund reserves $2.5 million

Committee backs resolution to seek $1.5 million grant to expand Community Reentry Initiative