Pine Bluff, Arkansas – After months of political gridlock and disagreements, Jefferson County Justices of the Peace in the majority took swift action on Monday night, calling a special quorum court meeting where they passed the proposed 2025 county budget. The budget, which totals more than $37 million, is a significant step forward in the county’s financial planning for the upcoming year.
The meeting, which was attended by seven out of the thirteen quorum court members, marked the third reading of the proposed budget. According to Justice of the Peace District One, Alfred Carroll, who chaired the meeting in the absence of County Judge Gerald Robinson, this was a pivotal moment for the county’s future.
“It is an opportunity to excel, just to be honest about it,” Carroll said following the meeting. “It’s an opportunity to hopefully see the county move forward.” Despite the long-standing disagreements, Carroll emphasized that the budget would provide an important foundation for the county’s operations in the coming year.
The approval of the 2025 budget comes after more than five months of ongoing disputes, particularly between the court’s majority members and County Judge Gerald Robinson. The disagreements had centered around the priorities for county spending and procedural issues regarding the budget. Despite these conflicts, the quorum court members managed to push through the budget during the special session.
However, the path to approving the budget has not been smooth sailing. Judge Robinson, who was not present at the meeting, had expressed concerns about the legality of the special gathering. In a statement released prior to the meeting, Robinson questioned the validity of the quorum court’s decision to meet without all members being contacted.
“I question the validity of the members coming together and deciding to have a meeting,” Robinson said. “As some of the members were not contacted, as I was informed. These eight members continue to violate statutes regarding proper notice for the meeting.” The statement highlighted the ongoing tension between the court’s majority and the county judge, whose approval of the budget is still required for it to become law.
Despite Robinson’s objections, the budget was passed with the approval of the present majority. With the passage of the budget, Carroll signed the document, though he acknowledged that the process is far from finished. For the budget to become final and take effect, it must still be signed by the county judge, who has the power to veto it.
“I hope he signs it instead of vetoing it,” said District 3 Justice of the Peace Reginald Johnson. “It’s time to work together. It’s been long enough.” Johnson, like many of his colleagues, expressed a desire for the county to move past its divisions and begin collaborating on initiatives that will benefit the community.
The 2025 budget, which is crucial for funding countywide operations, had become a point of contention for several months. The budget allocates money for a variety of services and projects, and the delay in its passage has raised concerns about the county’s ability to continue operations smoothly. Now that the budget has passed, the focus will shift to whether or not Judge Robinson will sign it into law.
As the situation unfolds, many in the county are hoping for a resolution that will allow Jefferson County to move forward with its planned initiatives. The passing of the 2025 budget marks a significant milestone, but the final approval is still in the hands of County Judge Robinson. For now, the county waits to see if the judge will sign the document and bring an end to the months of political turmoil.
While this meeting may not have resolved all of the county’s political disputes, it has certainly brought them to the forefront, underscoring the importance of cooperation between the county’s legislative body and its executive office. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future of Jefferson County’s finances and its ability to continue serving its residents effectively.
