PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Jefferson County’s quorum court is working to reach a budget agreement after nearly five months of deliberation. The community has been operating without a formally passed budget, leading to significant disruption in local governance.
Disputes among quorum court members and County Judge Gerald Robinson have caused extended governmental shutdowns. During this period, Senate Bill 182 was enacted, requiring counties without an approved budget to continue employee payments and operate based on the previous year’s budget. Therefore, Jefferson County has been utilizing its 2024 budget since the bill’s implementation.
Recently, a motion to adopt the proposed 2025 budget was made before the quorum court. A vote on the budget had been postponed until Friday night, contributing to months of budgetary uncertainty. “All those in favor of a motion, signify by saying aye,” called out a quorum court member, emphasizing the urgency of securing a budget for the county.
Doc Victorino, Justice of the Peace for District 11, noted the procedural steps that must still be completed for the budget to be officially recognized. According to him, the third reading of the proposed budget brings the court one step closer to final approval. “The county will officially have a budget. This is just an opportunity to move forward and start conducting county business,” Victorino stated.
Reginald Johnson, Justice of the Peace for District 3, acknowledged the lengthy and challenging negotiation process that has surrounded both budget and procedural matters. “We’ve gone round and round trying to get the procedural ordinance passed and the budget,” he said.
After the court’s vote, the proposed budget will need Judge Robinson’s signature to become law. Although Robinson was not present at the meeting, Johnson expressed hope that the budget will receive approval. “We hope that he does not veto the budget, but, you know, we’ll take it one day at a time,” Johnson remarked.
Victorino echoed the sentiments of his colleagues, emphasizing the need for cooperation. “Myself and the other seven JPs are trying to move Jefferson County forward, and there is no agenda behind it other than to help the county,” he added.
The recent meeting was conducted under a new procedural ordinance approved last month, which allows certain measures to be advanced to the quorum court directly. Alfred Carroll, Justice of the Peace for District 1, explained how this ordinance facilitated the necessary voting process.
If Judge Robinson does not sign the budget within the next seven days, it will automatically become law. Despite his absence, Judge Robinson released a statement raising concerns about the validity of the quorum court’s meeting. He claimed that not all members were notified and questioned the legality of the special meeting.
This ongoing saga has left residents eager for resolution as they await confirmation of the county’s financial future.
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