Jefferson County employees say they feel relief as governor signs bill requiring county to use 2024 budget until 2025 budget passes
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has now signed a bill that will require Jefferson County to pay its over 300 county employees using its 2024 budget.
Senate Bill 182 requires all cities and counties that do not pass a budget by the set deadline of Feb. 7 to continue to operate under the previous year's budget until a new budget is adopted.
'I think it's fantastic, long overdue,' Jefferson County employee John Bean said.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect
Johnathan Powell said, like many, supporting a family during this time has been difficult.
'It's been very hard not getting paid for over a month now,' Jefferson County Employee Powell said.
He also shared how the community has come together, something he never thought imaginable.
'We had no idea that we would get that much community involvement that has come to us and it's just it's amazing,' Powell said.
Arkansas State Police supporting Jefferson County emergency services amid budget impasse
Events have been held all over Jefferson County to help county employees make ends meet or fulfill their basic needs.
However, for some, accepting help can be difficult when they are used to being able to provide for themselves.
'Myself included, it takes a lot to ask for that help and to be able to, not be able to pay your bills, you know, when you're used to being able to take care of things,' Jefferson County Employee Dennis Kendall said.
Kendall said he is happy with the news and was happy to share it with his fellow employees.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces plan to restore Jefferson County operations
Many county employees describe the events that have led to this as a roller coaster of a journey from meeting after meeting with what they once thought was no end in sight.
'It's frustrating to see where our leaders had the ability and the opportunity for this not to happen,' Bean said.
While the bill has been signed, the quorum court and county judge must still work together to pass a 2025 budget.
'The county judge is also not being paid until they get one so hopefully that will be a good motivator for him to do the right thing and get us a budget passed,' Powell said.
Three Arkansas congressmen representing Jefferson County introduce legislation to avoid budget defaults
Bean said seeing everyone continue to show up to work and help each other has strengthened them.
'Even though it's been a huge trial for a month and a half, we have actually come out better,' Bean said.
Earlier Monday, Judge Gerald Robinson told KARK 4 News that county employees could see a paycheck as early as Tuesday or the latest, on Wednesday.
Robinson also shared that he plans to call a meeting this week, but as of this time, there is still no date set for the next meeting.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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