[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6508519,"mediaKeyId","5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5","parentId",5565182,"title","Ozarks Electric, Ozarks Go seek PILOT abatement for $200–$300 million transmission rebuild, says company will reinvest savings","audioSeconds",2039,"startMs",2297000,"endMs",4336000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5&start=2297&end=4336","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5/thumbnail_2297000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508519/Washington-County/Arkansas/Ozarks-Electric-Ozarks-Go-seek-PILOT-abatement-for-200300-million-transmission-rebuild-says-company-will-reinvest-savings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508519-d047d572857c6a696f51908825bcfc12/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142480&Signature=IKN1606hQcvhTpwTJu7NQH26ZTiTyN34-UlFqAQ3ftvXcqkgeEY6QUEViF8eSJszW~dg2O5E6zdPNBtWgVusoqxQQ4yFeS7rVuudW~hoVN5ZUsD8W-xgKjKX-6P6KQfKNt6ErCIWvBjqxbrbIu7rGrezOaEArcFFUkOHHsuKGBTO3LD5jLRIKxzHdo941I0o2eTwYhnnlgkyKY2YCan9kyPB3EuwZJZzRuzUHIZTTR8Koa8bAzOIAwsOHZzC0y-Wpw8MTUVGg6W7YV~I4Ra~1Ikh2A8Fnu3GLahvQq70Amk3xOKkmi0Pkl1K3Jk0C8MQGLur2VmkekqNeC8vGSB0nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County","date","2025-07-18T01:44:51Z","article","Representatives of Ozarks Electric Cooperative and its broadband subsidiary Ozarks Go asked the Washington County Finance and Budget Committee to consider a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOT) agreement that would allow the utilities to accelerate construction of major transmission upgrades, expand certain fiber projects, and build a Springdale crew office.

Michael Shaffer, identified as director of business strategy, and Chris Holloway, general manager of Ozarks Go, described several large, county‑focused projects the cooperative says are necessary to support growth in Northwest Arkansas. Shaffer told the committee that Ozarks built a county‑wide fiber network between 2016 and 2022 and that roughly half the cooperative’s electric members now subscribe to its Internet service.

Shaffer said the cooperative would continue paying existing taxes but is proposing an abatement limited to new, specified assets built as part of the proposed projects; under state law the maximum abatement is 65%. He said Ozarks’ ask is for an abatement on the incremental property tax assessed on newly built transmission assets, a Springdale facility to re‑base field crews, and certain in‑territory fiber build projects. The cooperative estimates the necessary transmission rebuild will cost about $200–$300 million; the company said building that work over the next decade could increase property‑tax base in the county substantially over the long term.

“We have not increased our price since we started,” Shaffer said of Ozarks Go’s Internet service, explaining the cooperative’s aim to keep rates low while reinvesting tax savings. He also told the committee the cooperative presently pays roughly $6.5–$7 million in property taxes annually and that about $5 million of that is attributable to Washington County.

County officials pressed Ozarks on several points: whether the request would reduce revenues for school districts (Shaffer said school officials had been consulted and expressed support so long as revenue did not decline), the timeframe for the abatement (presenters described a 10‑year build window with assets placed into abatement when they are put on rendition and a maximum 30‑year abatement life under state law), and the mechanics of how assets would be assessed and transferred for property‑tax purposes.

Ozarks representatives told the committee that rebates or abatements would be reinvested to reduce borrowing and accelerate construction of transmission and fiber assets; they argued the upfront reduction in property tax on specific new assets would enable more rapid buildout and ultimately increase long‑term tax receipts and local economic capacity.

Committee members asked technical and policy questions; reactions were mixed. Some JPs supported the approach as infrastructure investment that would spur development and employment, while others asked for more analysis, comparators and assurances that non‑utility firms would not receive preferential treatment in future requests.

Ending: Ozarks representatives said they would provide copies of the presentation to county staff and to the committee for follow‑up. No vote was taken at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Washington County Arkansas Finance & Budget Meeting 08/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","Ozarks Electric Cooperative and its broadband arm, Ozarks Go, asked Washington County to consider a PILOT (payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes) agreement to accelerate a projected $200–$300 million transmission rebuild, fiber expansion and a Springdale crew office.","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},6508523,"County HR presents step plan results: applications up 198%, turnover lower than peers",491,1528000,2019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5&start=1528&end=2019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5/thumbnail_1528000.jpg","/articles/6508523/Washington-County/Arkansas/County-HR-presents-step-plan-results-applications-up-198-turnover-lower-than-peers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508523-326a66020cc4107747601e378586cb9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142480&Signature=ROpyZuhxc4pJogJCv914GymVlWO2TXfR68jYepD-sNzwVWgA-wE6p--qxVA36qSQ14el~djV5I5yDKmyYnBLFHRYQMBaahQUFr4LzrzYIp1laSK7QJ0DSqbZhftzpSsjwLQR9wc0RCOwUND4nbD4eT4Fq9CqDFA6HSXoYTm7a1vqiPQHkRPFG4qvh73jaiEYh0ZR9~1wZq5FxT6F0i62BzXnJJL2Vo4jNQPmUEAw0GLIe8b-IIhJuDGQVgNypx0SM1NU4fT4GUcvNNRN4cUJfhFN~kfBwjALyQ~JfPiuiqk6eZ98HtLr2Vu3xeseXf1BvZ-szXHAX3d42nycZwWAOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washington County human resources staff told the Finance and Budget Committee the county’s step pay plan and process changes are beginning to show measurable results.

Jess, identified in the meeting as the HR manager, presented hiring and retention data and said the workforce mix is healthy: about 57% of employees have tenure of 0–5 years and 59% of employees are on pay steps 1–3, with most new hires starting at step 1. HR reported a 198% increase in applicants after changes that reduced the application time from more than 30 minutes to under one minute by digitizing and streamlining the process.

“Most of you that are in companies, you're in mid‑year reviews right now. This is kind of some data that I'd like us to start sharing frequently,” Jess said as she walked through slides. She said time‑to‑fill is a key metric and that the county’s goal is to keep hires under roughly 35 days; HR is tightening position posting and PCN matching to produce cleaner data.

Jess said turnover is about 10% and declined in July; she described much of voluntary turnover as non‑regrettable (parental leave, moves, retirements) and said involuntary separations account for about 31% of exits, half of which were performance related.

Judge Deakins and other committee members praised HR’s work. The judge credited the step plan and HR outreach with stronger recruitment and retention and asked staff to continue reporting the data to JPs as the budget process advances.

Ending: HR will continue to provide regular recruitment and retention metrics to the committee as the budget cycle proceeds.","Human Resources reported a large increase in applicants after streamlining hiring, a majority of workers in early pay steps, and a turnover rate of about 10%, which county HR called lower than comparable counties.",{"_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},6508528,"Employee insurance fund shows rising pharmacy costs; county may need infusion next year",263,284000,547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5&start=284&end=547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5/thumbnail_284000.jpg","/articles/6508528/Washington-County/Arkansas/Employee-insurance-fund-shows-rising-pharmacy-costs-county-may-need-infusion-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508528-ec491fd44551add094c54f2f48795281/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142480&Signature=GnS86xGXofaTe7hbZHP4kSF6z4UxNyFfD08VeFAlLAUk6JYTVOU10rBvjrI3cJJTu7oq2psvqLHLSiKaMfTJWaIdArhwPruJ8y-IAF8P9XgyTZsYeh8XKGYCE5JYiiljjmd33b2k4Ypcp4xJQlSduNnbVMN1ERMkhRlRIMuZJp-baqvUN-DF7lhcLhu4EHKvocXejI6y~o9GVMuFu4bSPWnvdwbfhEosn3RpcKQNnILxKYuxvMKQXk2SfMmtjOYCXAahSUkniMQzfS9OkkZWu9Kg-pqBOzb4GNjcD-J1-FofvLMaKYmNpNN~V~50vhduzEHoEmH2iYL7yjc3Qp5qSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County employee benefits staff reported to the Finance and Budget Committee that the county’s self‑funded insurance fund is seeing continuing upward pressure from pharmacy costs and that plan funding is running short of projected needs for the year.

An insurance fund representative identified in the meeting as Mr. Angel presented cash‑flow figures. He said the fund’s total cost for May was $730,015.89 and that June’s costs were slightly higher. He reported a significant prescription‑drug rebate of about $233,000 that reduced net cash outflows for the month.

“We continue to see higher pharmacy than the medical,” Angel told the committee. He explained that chronic prescriptions often recur monthly and produce rebates, while acute medical claims (for example, hospital stays) do not generate rebates and are often one‑time but costly.

Angel said the current plan funding shortfall for the year is about $402,000 but noted the county has that amount reserved. He recommended the county consider higher stop‑loss attachment points and potentially higher reinsurance costs when planning the next fiscal year’s budget. Comptroller Sherman later reiterated that the insurance fund is the one account the administration expects could require a budget infusion depending on trend lines into the fall.

Ending: Committee members were given the data and invited to ask further questions; no formal action was taken during the meeting.","County insurance fund presenters told the Finance and Budget Committee that pharmacy costs continue to exceed medical claims and that a stop‑loss policy and reserves are in place but may not fully cover rising costs next year.",{"_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},6508533,"Washington County officials report steady revenues, $15 million rainy‑day reserve; budget spreadsheet to be released to JPs",436,154000,590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5&start=154&end=590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5/thumbnail_154000.jpg","/articles/6508533/Washington-County/Arkansas/Washington-County-officials-report-steady-revenues-15-million-rainyday-reserve-budget-spreadsheet-to-be-released-to-JPs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508533-84dd70009343d63e526a09ecc9b678a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142480&Signature=F2-NktDyY2x9ilpDTYkPFAVBnDaZqz-0ZCd-qHJ6KjFpx9sK5xIvNdzDMl422SozKZo7rAwaeCdvmh3kbDucPq27bpMbqp1cdhVvQKXAEDdQwL7YGHybBxWtPoM9bXCy3urwmouvkS3O9DRsBBU3TNsJoG-xVF7kTcebQ3n~fnk7cESMvEbJG9~wgOHWlW1DQWdGsQadw5PC4hW3PtNBjoLj5G0b21gCpM~nHXl1axAcLVX0nw4sQWj-IvjLcHYvJY41nRTgAtBTwW~OHksHDmnXCviCSPFozHav2rZ5Bv5N5ocOdDoX-zhpsekbpCdBIq82BBsaipqXe7eIY7kWmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washington County Treasurer Bobby Hill and Comptroller Brian Sherman told the county Finance and Budget Committee on an August evening that the county’s core finances are stable heading into the 2026 budget cycle.

Hill reported that the county began the month with about $93.3 million on deposit and ended with roughly $92.2 million. He said county sales‑tax receipts are running about 4.25% above the same period last year and that overall year‑to‑date growth was just under 6 percent. Property tax receipts for the county general fund totaled $761,000 for the most recent period compared with $704,000 the prior year, Hill said.

The comments came during the committee’s regular review of financial reports. “We began the month with 93,300,000 in the bank and ended with 92.2,” Hill said while summarizing the report. He also noted ARPA‑fund activity, saying the county had spent about $360,000 on COVID mitigation and $420,000 on emergency operations center construction and that $7.9 million remained in the ARPA fund.

Comptroller Sherman walked members through the county’s internal budget spreadsheet and described how the administration will deliver the first draft of next year’s budget to committee members. Sherman said the committee will receive a digital copy “on Friday” and that staff will accept requests for paper copies or thumb drives. He said the county is roughly 58% through the fiscal year on the statement of operations and did not see any items “that really stick out” as needing immediate correction.

Sherman explained the county’s budgeting approach: projected revenues plus carryover less a statutorily required 10% holdback determine available appropriation. He said the county maintains a primary “rainy‑day fund” of about $15 million that aligns with guidance recommending two to three months of operating reserves. Sherman also said there remains roughly $2.5 million in unappropriated reserves to be allocated during the rest of the year.

Sherman and Hill flagged a few items for committee attention: the jail quarter‑cent tax is up 5.23% year over year, and some one‑time revenue entries—such as a $10 million revenue replacement recorded in the prior year tied to jail funding—affect year‑to‑year comparisons. Sherman asked members to forward questions about the spreadsheet to him and said the administration will begin public discussion in the September finance meeting.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about specific line items and the mechanics of appropriation. Sherman emphasized that appropriations authorize departments to spend from the general fund but typically do not physically move cash between departmental accounts. He also outlined the budget controls (personnel vs. supplies vs. capital outlay) and explained limits on moving funds between line‑item categories.

The comptroller warned the committee that the insurance fund is the primary account that may need an infusion before the next budget cycle if medical and pharmaceutical trends continue. He also said the county plans to run a single salary sweep by Oct. 1 and to return any funded, vacant positions during that sweep for appropriation.

Ending: Sherman and Hill said staff will circulate the full spreadsheet and supporting talking papers and that the committee will begin line‑item review next month.","Treasurer Bobby Hill and Comptroller Brian Sherman told the Finance and Budget Committee that sales‑tax and property‑tax receipts are up year over year, ARPA spending and reserves remain, and a detailed budget spreadsheet will be distributed for the 2026 cycle.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6508513,"Finance committee votes: ordinances and appropriations sent to full court; physical‑impact resolution on jail expansion fails",1630,5898000,7528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5&start=5898&end=7528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565182-cc61970d181b0e7b0d005d686bc211c5/thumbnail_5898000.jpg","/articles/6508513/Washington-County/Arkansas/Finance-committee-votes-ordinances-and-appropriations-sent-to-full-court-physicalimpact-resolution-on-jail-expansion-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508513-32142028425b4023c54e048b919a6eab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142480&Signature=OMo-tmNCVLlo3KtcFgKUi9PKSzPsOQ-wgNjZ2AD8uExSBLlCuJnxrlvyoO-3x3E-yhrMj15mEOBJUBHI3XllRi1ZoLS5ZFgjq8Tm0wZbqXzT3HCpJ3S6iGG-Lw~86vE-L9yJqaibk0jhzig1CYZpwYKIt3yK~beHDkkJjrlxSCfq302NLVBkWrWo-D6eiruIydOMJCFV0O5Ba~a57xFsxVBQF6ddsvE94UKMly09z2xL4QldfscwDFQDzxa6k9~ap87gEB3vieRY8mPopqqbK3JqW7wYFCYKd-wiRN8PcyxELvWYnz19o8tvmPo-3E70OxDTnnJvTNgW-s-UsGHEWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its August meeting the Washington County Finance and Budget Committee moved several budget and appropriation items to the full Quorum Court with due‑pass recommendations and debated a resolution requesting a physical impact statement for the county jail expansion.

Items forwarded with a due‑pass recommendation to the full court (motions and seconds occurred during the committee meeting):
- Item 9: Appropriation ordinance recognizing $31,167 in anticipated revenue for the JDC grant fund (motion to forward by JP Ekey; second by JP Dean). The committee voted to send the ordinance to the full court with a due pass recommendation.
- Item 10: Ordinance recognizing a $33,638.31 refund to IT and appropriating that amount to the IT general fund computer equipment line (motion to forward by JP Ekey; second by JP Dean). Committee discussion focused on whether returned funds should be reappropriated to IT or returned to the general fund; the committee forwarded the item to full court with a due pass recommendation.
- Item 11: Amendment correcting carryover amounts for the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) fund (motion to forward by JP Lopez; second by JP Recker). The committee voted to forward the correction to full court with a due pass recommendation.
- Item 12: Budget amendment for the juvenile detention center to transfer $30,000 from professional services to overtime and premium compensation to cover staffing (motion to forward by JP Dean; second by JP ???). The committee forwarded the amendment to full court with a due pass recommendation.
- Item 13: Ordinance recognizing additional grant funds for juvenile court from the Administrative Office of the Courts (motion to forward by JP Pawn; second by JP Hires). The committee forwarded the ordinance to full court with a due pass recommendation.
- Item 14: Ordinance correcting CSU fund carryover amounts (motion to forward by JP Ekey; second by JP Dean). The committee forwarded the correction to full court with a due pass recommendation.

Item 15: Resolution requesting a physical impact statement for the Washington County Detention Center expansion (the addition of 88 beds). JP Koger moved to forward the resolution to the full court with a due pass recommendation. After debate—during which JP Koger argued a physical impact estimate would allow the court to plan for ongoing operating and staffing costs and other JPs pointed out that construction is already underway and federal funds have been spent—the committee called for a division of the assembly. The roll/standing division failed to produce a majority in favor and the motion failed at the committee level. The committee therefore did not forward the resolution to the full court.

Ending: Items 9–14 will appear on the full Quorum Court docket with the Finance Committee’s due‑pass recommendations; the committee did not advance the physical impact request for the jail expansion.","The Finance and Budget Committee voted to forward ordinances and appropriation items (agenda items 9–14) to the full Quorum Court with due‑pass recommendations; a committee motion to request a physical impact statement for the jail expansion failed on division of the assembly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ozarks Electric, Ozarks Go seek PILOT abatement for $200–$300 million transmission rebuild, says company will reinvest savings

County HR presents step plan results: applications up 198%, turnover lower than peers

Employee insurance fund shows rising pharmacy costs; county may need infusion next year

Washington County officials report steady revenues, $15 million rainy‑day reserve; budget spreadsheet to be released to JPs

Finance committee votes: ordinances and appropriations sent to full court; physical‑impact resolution on jail expansion fails