A brewing legal battle over unpaid salary has erupted between Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson and County Clerk Shawndra Taggart, culminating in a threat of immediate legal action against the clerk’s office.
Attorneys representing Robinson are threatening to file a petition for a writ of mandamus — a court order compelling a public official to do their duty — after Taggart refused to issue a payment of over $53,000 to Robinson, citing violations of state law.
The conflict centers on a claim warrant presented by Robinson on Nov. 24, requesting a paper check for $53,052 from county fund 1000-100-1001. According to legal correspondence, this sum represents Robinson’s “unpaid 2025 salary.”
In an email exchange dated Nov. 24, Taggart formally refused the request, arguing that issuing the payment would violate Senate Bill 182.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Please be advised that, pursuant to SB182, issuing payment on your claim would constitute a violation of state law,” Taggart wrote to Robinson.
She acknowledged that Robinson likely views SB182 as unconstitutional regarding the reduction of his salary, but asserted that the “county court system is not the appropriate venue for constitutional challenges.” Taggart insisted Robinson must file a lawsuit in a court with proper jurisdiction before her office could take action that conflicts with state statutes.
On Nov. 25, Robinson’s attorney, Kenneth P. “Casey” Castleberry of the Castleberry Law Firm, issued a stern demand letter to Taggart, arguing that her refusal is legally groundless because the time for valid appeals has passed.
According to Castleberry, the County Judge of Jefferson County issued an order on Oct. 22, approving the claim for Robinson’s unpaid salary. Castleberry states that the 30-day window to appeal that order to the Circuit Court expired on Nov. 21.
While a “Notice of Appeal” was filed by a third party, Lloyd Franklin II, on Nov. 21, Castleberry argues the filing was “fatally defective,” Castleberry stated.
“Mr. Franklin did not file his Notice of Appeal with the Circuit Clerk,” Castleberry wrote, citing Arkansas District Court Rule 9(e), which requires appeals to be filed with the clerk of the Circuit Court, not the county clerk. Because of this procedural error, Castleberry contends no valid appeal exists, making the Oct. 22 order final and binding.
Franklin, a former Jefferson County Quorum Court member, argued that the order constitutes an “illegal exaction,” a direct conflict of interest, and a failure to follow mandatory state financial-control procedures.
The petition filed by Franklin concludes with a strong statement, characterizing the event as a “Total Failure of Process,” arguing that the failure of any single mandatory step in Arkansas’ claims process voids the entire action, calling the subsequent order “fruit of the poisonous tree.”
“Lloyd Franklin is a citizen and does not stop the claim,” Robinson said. “If my claim is not paid, my attorney will file an immediate mandamus against the county clerk.”
Castleberry’s letter asserts that Taggart does not have the discretion to refuse payment. Citing Arkansas Code Annotated §14-24-101(a), he wrote that once an allowance has been approved by the county court, “the county clerk shall issue a warrant or check.”
“Your duty to issue payment of the claim is purely ministerial,” Castleberry stated.
The letter issued a deadline of “close of business” on Nov. 25 for Taggart to comply with the order. Castleberry warned that if payment was not made, he would proceed with filing a petition to compel compliance through the courts.
As of the time of the correspondence, payment has not been made, and it remains unclear if the clerk’s office intends to challenge the procedural technicality regarding the Franklin appeal or stand by the SB182 defense.