The Jefferson County Quorum Court is hosting a “Community Chat” on Tuesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center in Pine Bluff.
The meeting was called due to pay for county employees being in jeopardy for the second month in a row. An article published by SeArk Times on Monday provides information on the pay situation.
An advertisement on Facebook for the event says:
This is your platform to voice concerns, share insights, and collaborate on shaping our county’s future. Your participation is key to transparency and fostering meaningful change.
Let’s pave a path to a brighter tomorrow for Jefferson County together!
The advertisement says the following concerns will be discussed at the meeting:
County Road Conditions
Infrastructure
Unpaid/Denied Claims (Payroll)
Legal Actions/Lawsuits
Budgets
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson issued a statement regarding the meeting saying “I did not call or sanction the “Quorum Court Community Chat” event. This event was organized independently without my involvement.”
A statement on the Jefferson County Quorum Court Facebook page regarding the Judge’s comment’s said:
We, the members of the Jefferson County Quorum Court, wish to address recent comments made by County Judge Gerald Robinson regarding the upcoming “Community Chat” scheduled by a majority of Quorum Court justices. These comments were made on a public forum, specifically Facebook, where Judge Robinson stated that he did not sanction or schedule this meeting.
It is essential to clarify that Judge Robinson’s comments misleadingly suggest that his authorization or approval is necessary for the Quorum Court justices to assemble in this context. This is simply not the case. The “Community Chat” is not a legislative meeting of the Quorum Court requiring a vote or consideration of a vote on any legislative agenda. Rather, it is an informal gathering aimed at addressing the community’s concerns and issues directly.
According to Arkansas Code Title 14, Local Government § 14-14-904 concerning the procedures of the Quorum Court:
- Special meetings can be called by the county judge or a majority of the elected justices upon at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice, as prescribed by local ordinance.
- In the absence of procedural rules, a special meeting may also be called by the county judge or a majority of the elected justices with written notification of all members at least two (2) calendar days prior to the meeting. The notice must specify the subjects, date, time, and location of the special meeting.
Judge Robinson’s attempt to undermine this scheduled Community Chat is regrettable, particularly during a time when he has, on two occasions this month alone, denied payroll disbursements to all county employees.
His actions and comments appear to be efforts to suppress the voices of justices, elected officials, and citizens alike, thereby obscuring the truth about his leadership failures.
As representatives elected by and for the people of Jefferson County, we remain committed to transparency, open dialogue, and the direct engagement with our constituents. We will continue to facilitate these important discussions without the need for approval or sanction from Judge Robinson, in adherence to the laws governing our proceedings and responsibilities.
We encourage all members of the community to participate in the upcoming Community Chat to voice their concerns, share their ideas, and help us better understand and address the issues that matter most to them. Together, we can work towards a more informed, engaged, and united Jefferson County.
Issues between the Quorum Court and the County Judge have been an ongoing thing for over a year now, and it appears no end is in sight at this time.
