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Public raises safety and ethics concerns over proposed sheriff shooting range; resident alleges improper county work on private land
Summary
During public comment at the Aug. 6 Warren County supervisors meeting, residents raised safety and environmental concerns about a proposed sheriff shooting range and a local resident accused county employees of using public funds to work on land owned by a Cullors family member; the board received requests for thorough fiscal and environmental review.
Several residents used the board’s public‑comment period Aug. 6 to press the county for more study and protections related to a proposed sheriff shooting range and to air an allegation about county labor and materials being used on private property.
John Jenkins (South River District) told supervisors he opposes a firing range proposed near Bentonville, said the planning commission is waiting for DEQ sign‑off and boundary corrections, and alleged county contractors and employees seeded and strawed “several thousand dollars worth of topsoil” at a stockpile on land he said is owned by a Cullors family member. Jenkins said he has asked for an investigation and told the board, “I once again am asking you to resign and step down and give up your position because people in South River District are not happy with the way that you performed.” The transcript records the allegation but shows no immediate response from county staff or the named parties during the meeting.
Other commenters focused on noise, safety and contamination risks if an outdoor range is used. Jeff Baggerly (North River District) reported measuring loud noise at his fence and said he worries that bullets could travel into nearby woods used by children and neighbors. John Swenson (Gimblett Ridge) relayed constituent concerns about lead contamination from repeated shooting and urged the county and sheriff’s office to consider an indoor or alternate facility or funding sources for a safer, long‑term solution.
David Brotman (Shangri‑Law Community) asked the board to require a thorough fiscal assessment of selected sites and to provide the public an opportunity to review those assessments before any vote; he suggested private‑land options for consideration. Planning staff noted that the planning commission had recommended further review and that DEQ and other technical permits remain outstanding.
No final action on the shooting‑range proposal was recorded at the meeting; several supervisors and members of the public urged deeper study and public review before any decision.
