Latest news with #QuorumCourt
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jefferson County judge seeking ‘legal relief' against seven justices of the peace
PINE BLUFF, Ark.- Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson announced in a letter to the justices of the peace that he is seeking 'legal relief' by asking the court to step in and find a legal solution. This comes after the ongoing budget gridlock between him and seven of the justices of the peace. 'We (he and the finance committee) have come to the table several times, as you know, and we have made concessions at least three to four times,' Robinson said. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect The letter addresses ongoing budgetary and procedural violations within the Jefferson County Quorum Court. The judge's letter highlights the reintroduction of a rejected 2025 budget, violations of Arkansas law, and the improper calling of special meetings without the County Judge's consent. 'Seven have went along with and creating these irregularities in the budget and are consistent on these irregularities continuing,' Robinson said. He said these actions led to the enactment of invalid legislation. The letter criticizes unauthorized salary increases, improper positions added, nepotism violations, and defiance of court rulings, particularly regarding the employment of Morgan Tillman, the daughter of the County Assessor. 'My opinion is total corruption on their part, corruption on the part of elected officials that have created these irregularities in the budget,' Robinson said. READ THE FULL LETTER It also notes the Quorum Court's failure to pass a legally compliant budget, which led to state intervention through Senate Bill 182. 'It created a stir to where the state had to step in and that we could at least get the employees paid,' Robinson said. 'The bill that was created holds the county judge and the quorum court responsible with nonpayment or without being paid, therefore I am the only constitutional officer that is not getting paid and the 13 justices are not receiving their per diem.' Lastly, the letter addresses that the quorum court held another invalid meeting on March 21st, where they tried to pass a procedural ordinance without the judge's consent. He stated he has since vetoed the ordinance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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.
