Jefferson County government shutdown continues as legislative action begins to step in
PINE BLUFF, Ark.- For over a month, Jefferson County has been experiencing a government shutdown because the quorum court has not been able to pass a 2025 budget. The shutdown continues after Tuesday night's meeting.
Before the full Jefferson County quorum court met, the budget and finance committee had two ordinances for budgets on the agenda.
The first budget ordinance was the secondary budget created by many justices of the peace and department heads that the county clerk's office presented.
Jefferson County employee pay remains at an impasse after Thursday court hearing
Following a vote, the budget and finance committee tabled the secondary budget indefinitely, meaning it would not go on to the full quorum court.
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson's revised budget presented by his office was passed on to the full quorum court by the committee.
However, despite the budget being rejected by the quorum court previously, it was the only budget read to the full quorum court at tonight's meeting.
'There is no way we can get anything through those committees because those people commonly agree with the judge,' Justice of the Peace for District Three Reginald Johnson said.
Emergency bill presented at Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting aims to solve budget stalemate
Johnson says the committees are stacked with odds against the majority of the justices, but he still tried to get something done by bringing a different motion to the floor during the meeting.
'I bring a motion to replace the budget you are proposing with the budget from 2024 with all amendments in total,' Johnson said.
The county judge responded, saying he wants to deal with what is on the agenda tonight.
'It's not on the floor, if you want to bring that forward, you can do that in a special meeting,' Robinson said.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces plan to restore Jefferson County operations
Following the comment, legislation at the State Capitol was then brought into the conversation.
'The budget that I'm talking about is the budget we operated off of last year, same one they are going to enact in a few days,' Johnson said.
Senate Bill 182, if passed, would require cities and counties to pass their annual budget by Feb. 7th of each year. If it fails to do so, it will revert to using the previously approved budget to make sure all employees are paid and county services are provided.
The Jefferson County Attorney, Terry Wynne, made remarks on the legislation during the meeting, stating the legislation raises a question because the 2024 budget may not be valid.
Three Arkansas congressmen representing Jefferson County introduce legislation to avoid budget defaults
'What does that exactly mean because I don't know that this body ever actually approved a budget,' Wynne said.
Heated conversations began between the county judge and many of the justices of the peace, including Alfred Carroll for District One.
That's when the county judge decided to call for a vote.
The vote failed the budget that was presented by the county judge's office once again.
Jefferson County judge back in court over not paying employees as budget crisis continues
Many people in the crowd asked for the justices of the peace not to leave as they only needed seven to hold a quorum court meeting and nine to hold a vote. However, only seven stayed, and no further action was taken.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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