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

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.