Due to an error, the Jefferson County Quorum Court held a special meeting on Thursday to reconsider a previously approved appropriation for FBT Bank within the road department budget. This appropriation had been passed during Monday’s meeting.
A key point of discussion revolved around a $250,000 appropriation within the road department. Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson, taking responsibility for the oversight, stated, “In my humility, I made a mistake, my office made a mistake, and so I want to make that clear to the public, that’s my fault.”
According to Robinson, this appropriation aims to rectify a previous situation where highway tax money was moved via a court order, but then required formal appropriation once the clerk’s office identified it as “new money.”
Concerns were raised about the sufficiency of funds. Justice of the Peace Margarette Williams questioned whether this approval would take care of the debt. Robinson confirmed that the newly approved appropriation, combined with previous approvals, would cover outstanding payments.
“With this amount and what you guys approved on Monday … there’ll be enough to take care of the whole payment so that we can get them paid tomorrow,” said Robinson.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
During last week’s meeting, it was noted that an overdue internal transfer of funds was needed to pay the FBT lease and lease interest, which has been pending since May 2024. Robinson said then that the request was not for new appropriations but for internal reallocation, necessitated by the layoff of 10 people to ensure sufficient cash and appropriations.
During Thursday’s special meeting, Robinson highlighted a five-year statutory limit for paying leases, assuring this would be the last payment. “We have five years to pay leases, and so you’re not supposed to go beyond it,” he said.
The ordinance was moved to a third reading following a successful motion to suspend the rules. The appropriation ordinance then passed unanimously with a 10-0 vote. Justices voting in favor were Dr. Conley Byrd, Reginald Adams, Reginald Johnson, Margarette Williams, Melanie Dumas, Brenda Bishop-Gaddy, Ted Harden, Patricia Royal-Johnson, Richard Victorino and Cedric Jackson. Alfred Carroll, Jimmy Fisher and Roy Agee were absent.