With a $658,509.47 payment due to FBT Bank, Jefferson County officials are preparing for a special called meeting Monday night to address the matter. However, the meeting agenda is already drawing criticism from at least one member of the quorum court.
County Judge Gerald Robinson released the agenda earlier this week, but Justice of the Peace Rick “Doc” Victorino voiced concerns in an email obtained by Deltaplex News. In the message, Victorino called the agenda “too vague” to properly address the payment and urged the inclusion of more details.
Victorino recommended that the agenda specify exactly which accounts the funds would come from, where they would be transferred, and whether a supplemental appropriation would be necessary. He also said providing this information to the county clerk’s office would ensure all quorum court members were fully prepared for the discussion.
Victorino’s email in full is provided here:
Dear County Judge’s Office,
I hope this message finds you well.
I would like to express my concerns regarding the agenda for the upcoming special called meeting. The current agenda appears to be too vague to effectively address the task of approving the payment to FBT Bank in the amount of $658,509.47.
I recommend revisiting the agenda to include specific details on the sources from which these funds will be drawn and the accounts to which they will be transferred. Additionally, if a supplemental appropriation is necessary to meet this obligation, I believe it should be included in the agenda and forwarded to the county clerk’s office for distribution. This will help ensure that all JPs would be in attendance and that we are adequately prepared for Monday’s meeting.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.
Best regards,
Justice Rick “Doc” Victorino
District 11 JP
Judge Robinson responded, saying:
“Rick, the only thing I need the QC cooperation on is to allow the transfers and/or appropriations. Then the payment can be made. I’ll then have the payment within my budget to make the payment! Thank You!”
Documents attached to the meeting agenda show that several fund transfers and appropriations are being requested for approval:
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Fund 3403 MECA — A transfer of $12,737 within the fund to be used as detailed in supporting documents.
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Solid Waste Contract Fund (Fund 1804) — The Jefferson County Solid Waste Department is requesting the transfer of $470,015.64 from the County General Reserve Fund (Fund 1006) to the Solid Waste Contract Fund to pay the county’s current vendor, Waste Management, for the final 2024 payment.
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Road Department Transfers — The Jefferson County Road Department is seeking approval to transfer a total of $445,185.83 from salary and benefits lines to maintenance and operations (M&O) purposes, including:
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$120,000 from Salaries (Line 1001) to Vehicles (Line 4005)
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$241,377.75 from Salaries (Line 1001) to Lease Principal (Line 5005)
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$27,645.40 from Social Security (Line 1006) to Lease Interest (Line 5006)
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$55,471.48 from Retirement Matching (Line 1007) to Lease Interest (Line 5006)
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$691.20 from Retirement Matching (Line 1007) to Lease Interest (Line 5006)
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The dispute over the meeting agenda comes amid ongoing tensions between eight quorum court members and the county judge, which have made it difficult to move county business forward. Many Jefferson County residents have expressed frustration over the political gridlock, urging officials to focus on pressing concerns such as road repairs and essential services.
With elections approaching, citizens will soon have an opportunity to weigh in at the ballot box. In the meantime, residents hope county leaders can set aside differences to address urgent financial obligations and other priorities.
The agenda from Robinson is included below:
