The Jefferson County Quorum Court Committee is set to meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to take on a variety of agenda financial matters.
An appropriation ordinance for fund transfers in County General (Fund 1000) is on the agenda. The committee will discuss transferring $67,687 to Note Principal and $77,312 to Note Interest for payments on a commercial loan to Webster Bank. This appropriation is part of a request from County Judge Gerald Robinson to address outstanding financial obligations.
An appropriation ordinance for fund transfers in the Road Fund (Fund 2000) is a request from the Jefferson County Road Department to transfer $445,185 within its budget. The funds will be reallocated from salaries to maintenance and operations, vehicles and lease payments.
An ordinance will be reviewed to establish bonus payments for Jefferson County employees who were employed during the county’s budget crisis. Full-time employees are set to receive $1,000, while part-time employees will receive $500. The total appropriation for bonuses, including social security matching, amounts to $293,524.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The committee will consider a resolution approving the acceptance of funds from the city of Pine Bluff to satisfy a monetary judgment. The judgment stems from unpaid jail fees owed to Jefferson County for housing Pine Bluff inmates. Two payments totaling $993,408 have been received, and the resolution will authorize the filing of a satisfaction of judgment.
Last month, the Jefferson County Quorum Court met for two special-called meetings on May 1 and May 9, 2025, to address pressing matters, including the approval of the county’s budget for the fiscal year 2025.
Justice Alfred Carroll chaired the May 1 meeting. The primary agenda item was the second reading of the 2025 Appropriation Ordinance, which outlines the county’s budget for the fiscal year spanning January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Carroll also informed attendees that a lawsuit filed on April 17 against several justices would require them to seek legal representation. Garland Trice and four others have sued seven members of the Jefferson County Quorum Court, accusing them of continuously holding meetings without the permission of County Judge Gerald Robinson.
The seven justices of the peace — Alfred Carroll in District 1, Reginald Adams in District 2, Reginald Johnson in District 3, Margarette Williams in District 6, Melanie Johnson Dumas in District 7, Cedric Jackson in District 9 and Brenda Bishop Gaddy in District 13 — are also charged with committing malfeasance by attempting to pass ordinances without Robinson’s approval. The justices of the peace are also accused of having the county disburse funds “in their favor” without Robinson’s approval.
Pamela Barnes Earnest, Bruce Carman, Victor Johnson and Glenda Davis, all citizens of Pine Bluff, according to the suit, joined Trice as plaintiffs. They are suing to have each of the justices removed.
The plaintiffs pointed out a lawsuit Robinson won last December against the entire Quorum Court. Special Judge Randy Wright ruled that the meetings held without a set of procedural rules in place were invalid.
In a motion to dismiss, filed on May 9th, the defendants deny the accusations and argue that the plaintiffs have failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate their claims.
Additionally, the defendants challenge the relevance of findings from a previous case presided over by Judge Wright, which the plaintiffs referenced in their amended complaint. Representing themselves pro se, the defendants have requested the court to dismiss the complaint, award attorney fees and costs, and grant any other relief deemed appropriate.
In their response to the motion to dismiss, the plaintiffs are seeking the court’s denial of the motion to dismiss and any equitable relief deemed appropriate.
The second special-called meeting on May 9 followed a similar format, with Carroll again chairing the session. Six members were absent: Roy Agee, Conley Byrd, Jimmy Fisher, Ted Harden, Cedric Jackson and Patricia Johnson.
During the meeting, Trice requested an agenda. Carroll assured him that the court was aware of the lawsuit and would respond accordingly.
The 2025 Appropriation Ordinance was read for the third and final time, and Justice Reginald Johnson motioned for its approval, seconded by Justice Dumas.
The ordinance passed with seven “yeas” and six absences.
The Jefferson County Quorum Court then met for its regular meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the County Courthouse. The session was presided over by Robinson.
Several appropriation ordinances were discussed and voted on during the session:
An Appropriation Ordinance for Fund 1000 County General-Assessor/Reappraisal: Justice Byrd moved to approve, seconded by Justice Carroll. The ordinance passed with a unanimous roll call vote of 13 “yeas.”
An Appropriation Ordinance for Bonus Pay for County Employees: Justice Byrd motioned to table the ordinance until June, seconded by Justice Patricia Johnson. After the discussion, the motion to table passed with 8 “yeas” and 5 “nays.”
An Appropriation Ordinance for Fund 1000 County General: Justice Harden moved to approve, seconded by Justice Byrd. Following deliberation, the ordinance failed with 5 “yeas” and 8 “nays.”
An Appropriation Ordinance for Fund 2000 Road: Justice Byrd motioned to approve, seconded by Justice Harden. After the discussion, the ordinance also failed with 5 “yeas” and 8 “nays.”
On May 16, Robinson vetoed the budget ordinance.