Democrat challenges Republican incumbent

SPRINGDALE — Patrick Deakins, the Republican incumbent, faces Democrat Randall

Lane in the race for the District 5 seat on the Washington County Quorum

Court.

District 5 covers the northeastern part of Washington County.

Justices of the peace serve two-year terms. The Washington County Quorum Court is made up of eight Republicans and seven Democrats.

Justices of the peace are paid $200 per diem on days they attend Quorum Court or committee meetings.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 2. A voter may request an absentee ballot application by contacting the county clerk in the county where the voter is registered, according to the Arkansas Secretary of State website. Voters may download the application from the county website.

The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette emailed the same questions to the candidates. Their responses are below. Candidates were limited to 200 words per answer.

Question: Why did you decide to run for justice of the peace and what makes you the best candidate for the position?

Deakins: I wanted to serve the county and region that has given my family so much. After serving one term, I can say the best assets I can bring to any issue are an open and analytical mind.

The monthly meetings need to be the culmination of any justice’s research and communications. I can bring that level work ethic and determination to the table.

Lane: I’m running for justice of the peace District 5 to ensure we meet the needs of our citizens via judicial and fair use of taxpayer funds, maintain adequate infrastructure and services and bring forth progressive ideas for the future of Washington County.

Question: What area of county government are you most interested in and what specific plans or goals do you have in that area?

Lane: I was born in Springdale and grew up in Northwest Arkansas and lived here all my life.

As a resident, I’ve gone to school, worked and raised a family in the area and witnessed first hand the tremendous growth and changes in Northwest Arkansas, its increased population diversity and changing economic outlook. I have leadership skills from my current job that could be leveraged in office, but I’ve had no prior political ambitions or experience and would be honored to serve the community as a county official.

Deakins: Budgeting and setting the fiscal limitations and goals for the county are the most important job the Quorum Court has. The county is growing and changing. Budgeting and planning are a huge part of ensuring the future is bright for everyone in the county.

Question: County Treasurer Bobby Hill is projecting a drop of about $1 million in Washington County’s share of the revenue from the countywide 1% sales tax after the results of the 2020 census are in. How can the Quorum Court deal with that drop in revenue while maintaining services?

Deakins: The county needs to reassess what its primary priorities need to be. As our municipalities grow and expand, naturally the county will need to transform itself to better serve the citizens at what it is best at, and work with the cities to pass the baton on things it is not good at.

Lane: I would work to implement a proactive scan of county agencies future purchasing to ensure Washington County can continue funding in any projected revenue shortfall without reacting by asking residents for more tax dollars.

Question: The Quorum Court has been discussing an ongoing problem with overcrowding at the Washington County Detention Center. A study recently commissioned by the Quorum Court offers some recommendations on ways to address the problem. What do you think the county should do to better manage the population at the detention center?

Lane: My goals are working to solve the detention center crowding problems by revamping sentencing guidelines, possible facility expansion and the funding of drug and alcohol addiction facilities to combat recidivism and lessen the burden on courts, police and detention center.

Deakins: The justice study was clear in its determinations. Our justice system is underresourced and understaffed. This causes delays and inefficiencies in the resolution of criminal cases that can be avoided. Open, honest and data driven results are within our grasp. The study is the road map.