A months-long salary dispute involving Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson is now headed to court, with a hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. on Dec. 19 in Circuit Judge Rob Wyatt’s courtroom with Judge Randall Wright presiding, according to court documents.
Robinson filed a petition for a writ of mandamus on Dec. 1, asking a circuit judge to order County Clerk Shawndra Taggart to issue a warrant for $53,052.45 in unpaid 2025 salary. The filing escalates an ongoing conflict between Robinson, the clerk’s office and members of the Jefferson County Quorum Court over whether he is legally entitled to the full amount.
In the verified petition, Robinson—represented by attorney Kenneth “Casey” Castleberry—reasserts that the County Court approved his salary claim on Oct. 22 and issued an order directing Taggart to pay it. Under Arkansas law, the filing argues, the clerk’s duty to issue payment becomes mandatory once a County Court order is final and no appeal is filed.
According to the petition:
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Sept. 10: Robinson submitted a claim for $53,052.45.
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Sept. 11: He notified the Arkansas attorney general that the claim raised a constitutional issue.
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Sept. 18: The attorney general acknowledged receipt.
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Oct. 22: A hearing was held; Robinson, acting as the County Court, approved the claim and filed the order.
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Oct. 22–Nov. 21: Robinson provided required notices to the attorney general.
Robinson argues the order became final when no valid appeal was filed by the Nov. 21 deadline under Arkansas District Court Rule 9(e). That same day, Lloyd Franklin II submitted a “Notice of Appeal and Petition for Review,” but filed it with the County Clerk rather than the Circuit Clerk. Robinson’s petition calls the filing invalid and insufficient to perfect an appeal.
Taggart informed Robinson in a Nov. 24 email that she could not issue payment, citing SB182, a law passed earlier this year reducing salaries for county judges statewide. She said any constitutional challenge to the statute must be handled by a higher court. Robinson’s petition says Taggart provided no authority allowing her to disregard a final County Court order.
The filing cites Arkansas Code Annotated 14-24-101(a), which states the County Clerk “shall issue a warrant or check” to pay allowances approved by the County Court. Robinson argues the clerk’s duty is “purely ministerial, not discretionary.”
Robinson has gone unpaid for much of 2025 amid disagreements with several justices of the peace over appropriations and the legality of SB182. Robinson maintains the law is unconstitutional, while Taggart and others say they are obligated to follow it unless a higher court rules otherwise.
Judge Randall Wright will hear arguments on the mandamus petition during the Dec. 19 hearing. If granted, the order would require Taggart to immediately issue the unpaid salary.
