In a continuation of escalating tensions within the county government, a second quorum court meeting was held following a failed attempt by County Judge Gerald Robinson to convene the body Monday night. That initial meeting ended in controversy after eight Justices of the Peace walked out, preventing a quorum and halting official proceedings.
However, the group of eight Justices later reconvened and conducted a separate meeting where they voted to override Judge Robinson’s previous veto of the county budget — a budget initially passed by the same group prior to the impasse. During the same session, they also voted to approve bonuses for county employees who went without pay during the recent budget stalemate.
Deltaplex News spoke with Judge Robinson following the second meeting and questioned whether he would sign off on the actions taken by the eight Justices.
In response, Justice Rick Victorino defended the actions of the group, asserting that they have followed both the procedural ordinance and state law throughout the process.
He also pushed back against Robinson’s claims that two-thirds of the quorum court must be present to pass ordinances. According to Victorino, the legal requirements vary: some matters require only a three-fifths majority, while others can be decided by a simple majority of those in attendance.
The unfolding situation continues to reflect deep divisions within the county’s leadership and raises questions about governance, procedure, and the balance of power in local government, with no end in sight for the struggle at hand.
