The Jefferson County Quorum Court failed to pass a budget for 2025 during a contentious meeting Monday night at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
The budget did not pass due to several quorum court members stating that they were not aware of the budget and what was in it. Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson disputed those members saying they were all aware of the budget.
There was also a discussion about the 2023 Legislative Audit in which legislators sent findings to the Arkansas Attorney General. Several quorum court members, led by Lloyd Franklin Jr., stated they were unaware of Robinson’s response to the findings. Robinson disputed that as well.
In other news Jefferson County Coroner Chad Kelley asked for an appropriation of funds to purchase of a new power lift stretcher to help he and his Deputy Coroners with removals. Kelley and his staff would need enough money to cover the cost of the stretchers, all equipment to make it operational, and installation costs.
After a lengthy discussion between Kelley and the quorum court it was discovered that a new truck would also be needed by the Coroner’s office. Kelley was asked to return to the quorum court with a price for the truck and power stretcher combined, to include figuring in a trade in of a Ford Expedition currently being used by the Coroner’s Office.
The quorum court made it seem as if they would grant the money once Kelley returns with all of the proper figures. Robinson said he would call a special meeting at that time to take a vote.
