By Ray King
Jefferson County collected just over $2 million more in July than in July 2019 and spent just over $ 3 million more, according to County Treasurer Vonysha Goodwin.
Goodwin made her report during the August meeting of the Quorum Court Monday night which was conducted remotely by Zoom. County Judge Gerald Robinson, who is recovering from knee surgery chaired the meeting from his home.
The Treasurer’s report showed that the county received $6,439,655.71 last month compared to July 2019 when it collected $4.265,583.03. Spending last month was $9,044,500.48 compared to $6,609,558.24 in July 2019.
Through the first six months of the year, Jefferson County has received jut over $46 million and spent $42.3 million.
Robinson announced that Justice of the Peace Dr. Conley Byrd of Redfield was taken to a Little Rock hospital Sunday night after experiencing heart problems and Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll is still hospitalized in Little Rock recovering from a stroke.
Members of the county’s legislative body approved a resolution declaring the position of Justice of the Peace District 6 vacant as a result of the death of long-time J.P. Dr. Herman Ginger.
“Dr. Ginger was a valuable asset to Jefferson County, and he will be greatly missed,” Robinson said. “There were times we may not have agreed but in the midst of our agreeing to disagree I knew that his heart was for Jefferson County and he wanted the best for Jefferson County.”
Governor Asa Hutchinson will appoint a successor to Ginger.
Also approved was a resolution appointing Glenda Daniels to the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees for a term beginning immediately and ending in November 2022. She replaces Travis D. White Sr. whose term actually ended Nv. 30, 2019.
Ten appropriation ordinances, most involving the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, adult jail or juvenile detention center were also approved without dissent.
