Rausch appointed to Washington County Quorum Court

FAYETTEVILLE — A new Washington County justice of the peace has been appointed by the governor to take over the vacant seat left when Roddy Lloyd resigned last April.

Fred Rausch, 59, of Springdale was appointed to the position couple of weeks ago and attended his first Quorum Court meeting Thursday, said County Judge Joseph Wood.

“I’m looking forward to serving, and that’s the main purpose I’m here,” Rausch said.

Rausch is a real estate appraiser under contract with Fleming Appraisal and Real Estate Co., he said. He’s a licensed residential contractor and real estate broker, according to a social media website he maintains. He has home-building and real estate experience, he said.

Rausch was at Rausch Coleman Homes for nearly 12 years as the Northwest Arkansas division manager-partner, vice president of land acquisition and principal broker. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and banking from the University of Arkansas.

He’s the regent agent for Rausch Holdings in Springdale, according to the secretary of state. The company, filed with the state Nov. 3, 2016, is in good standing.

Rausch said he “votes Republican.” He decided to take fill the open justice of the peace seat as a “learning experience,” he said. He said he was asked by a friend to put in an application to fill the vacant seat.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has appointed Rausch to state committees previously.

Hutchison appointed Rausch to the state Residential Contractors Committee in 2015. The appointment expired Oct. 1, 2018, but Rausch said he resigned in June. He also has been a member of the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board and was on the Equalization Board for Sebastian County.

Rausch volunteers with the Compassion Center NWA and was active with the Boy Scouts of America.

With Rausch’s appointment, the Quorum Court seats are full.

Lloyd left the Quorum Court after he and his wife, Sharon Lloyd, moved out of his district of western Springdale. Lloyd had replaced his wife, who held the justice of the peace seat until Dec. 31. Sharon Lloyd was hired as Wood’s new grant administrator with a salary of about $53,000, according to county information previously released.

Roddy Lloyd was the second justice of the peace to resign this year. In January, Justice of the Peace Rick Cochran, a Republican representing the area west of Farmington, resigned suddenly citing, in part, budget concerns within the county.

Hutchinson appointed Alicia Deavens to Cochran’s vacant position in March.