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Danny Holcomb resigned Sunday as District 11 justice of the peace in Jefferson County, one day before the Quorum Court was to meet in another attempt to approve a budget for 2025.
Holcomb sent a letter of resignation to County Judge Gerald Robinson, the Quorum Court and the constituents of District 11. He was one of the six JPs who regularly sided with Robinson on controversial issues such as the ongoing budget debate.
The lack of a county budget has resulted in almost 400 county workers who have yet to be paid in 2025, as the regular payroll for Jan. 15 was missed. The Quorum Court failed in meetings Jan. 13, 15 and 20, and did not have the minimum nine justices present in another attempt at a meeting on Jan. 23.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this letter today,” Holcomb wrote. “I have always tried to serve this county to the best of my ability (to) vote my convictions, always trying to put the best interests of the constituents that I represent first and foremost. However, due to recent events that have adversely affected my health and have caused me great concern about the safety & security of my family, I feel I can no longer continue in my capacity as JP of District 11 and serve on the Jefferson County Quorum Court. Please accept this letter as my notification that I am resigning my position effective immediately as JP of District 11 Jefferson County Quorum Court. I regret that it has come to this, but at this point I feel this is the best decision.”
A message seeking comment was left for Holcomb.
“Of course, I’m disappointed but I am understanding if he feels he needs to do this for the safety of him and his family,” Robinson said Sunday. “I am fully aware of threats to him and other justices as well. … It is (my) regret Justice Holcomb resigned, but I understand him taking this route to protect him and his family. This injustice going on and, in my mind, illegal activity of some of the justices of the peace and some elected officials to turn this fault to the county judge, is ludicrous when it comes to following the law.”
Robinson successfully argued in 11th West Circuit Court in December that the entire Quorum Court operated in violation of Arkansas law by illegally conducting business without an ordinance of procedures, which is typically passed in the first meeting of every year. The Quorum Court has failed to pass an ordinance of procedures since 2023.
Holcomb was one of the three JPs who abstained from a vote on the budget proposed by Robinson last Monday. The other two were Reginald Adams and Cedric Jackson, who have otherwise opposed Robinson on the matter along with Alfred Carroll, Melanie Johnson Dumas, Brenda Bishop Gaddy, Reginald Jackson and Margarette Williams.
The other five justices – Roy Agee, Dr. Conley Byrd, Jimmy Fisher, Ted Harden and Patricia Royal Johnson – have consistently sided with Robinson on his proposal.
Reached Sunday, Adams said he had just gotten a text about Holcomb’s resignation and hadn’t processed his thoughts on the matter.
“I cannot approve the judge’s budget the way it stands,” Adams said. “I only abstained for the point of not having to say no. It’s saying no, but it sounds better.”
Two-thirds of the Quorum Court, or nine of the 13 justices, are needed to approve a budget.
“My biggest concern is the loss of deputies, but along with that, the decrease in pay for deputies and those who will lose their position,” Adams said. “You have a budget that meets the 90 percent threshold, and there’s no reason to be laying anyone off. My biggest thought of all of it is that the judge has not spoken on the cuts. I’ve asked several times why we have to pass his budget. We never get an answer.”
Robinson said the Quorum Court is failing in its legal path to passing a budget.
“I feel there are seven justices who are holding the employees and the county hostage in an effort to save raises for a few of their friends,” he said. “They have even admitted in open court that they know they have violated the law. Even the prosecuting attorney had to admit they were violating the law, but they want to place blame on the county judge and justices who stand firm in the law and what’s right. I would ask Jefferson County and the public to stand for what’s right, that we cannot tolerate the tyranny of elected officials who want to continue to violate the law, trying to protect friends, financially.”
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday issued a statement about the budget stalemate. It is not immediately clear, if any, whether the governor plans to take a role in helping solve the crises should Monday’s meeting result in another failed vote.
“I’ve spoken with Judge Robinson ahead of today’s meeting and am hopeful this budget gridlock will be solved and Jefferson County government can get back to serving the people,” Sanders said.
Robinson said he believes the political party for a resigning JP – in Holcomb’s case, Republican – can recommend a replacement, but said he was looking up the state statute to confirm that.
“I don’t know if the judge has the authority or power to replace (Holcomb) as quick as tomorrow,” Adams said. “I really don’t know how it’s going to affect (the vote).”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story indicated an incorrect meeting date for the Quorum Court.