The budget impasse in Jefferson County continues after the Jefferson County Quorum Court once again failed to pass a budget for 2025 during yet another contentious meeting Monday night.
During the meeting Justice’s Alfred Carroll and Dr. Margarette Williams asked for a budget previously vetoed by County Judge Gerald Robinson to be reconsidered. Despite that Robinson did not allow that budget to be reintroduced in the meeting, leading to the Quorum Court to vote down the budget presented by the judge.
Following the meeting Robinson told several members of the media that he vetoed that budget previously for numerous reasons. Robinson said one reason was due to Justices attempting to pay private legal fees with county tax dollars.
Robinson went on to share another reason he wouldn’t allow the budget to be reintroduced.
Robinson added that he stands by the law and has tried to make concessions on the budget, but the Quorum Court refuses to pass a budget.
Robinson state that concessions were made to the Sheriff’s Department budget in the budget that failed Monday night. When asked why concessions had to be made and items were not originally in the budget for the Sheriff’s Office Robinson said that the Sheriff “never came to discuss” the budget.
Robinson said that he has made concessions while members of the Quorum Court are refusing to make concessions to help pass the budget.
Robinson said he checked with the State of Arkansas about paying essential employees despite the lack of a budget, but with no money left over for salaries from the 2024 budget there is nothing he can do.
It is unknown when another meeting will be called to attempt to pass a budget for 2025.
CLICK HERE to view Monday night’s meeting.
