The Jefferson County Quorum Court voted 8–4 to override a veto by County Judge Gerald Robinson during its Monday night meeting. Justice Roy Agee was not in attendance. Justices Alfred Carroll, Reginald Adams, Reginald Johnson, Cedric Jackson, Rick Victorino, Melanie Johnson-Dumas, Margarette Williams, and Brenda Bishop-Gaddy voted in favor of the override.
The vetoed measure addressed the payment of legal fees for the eight justices and reaffirmed that the appropriation does not authorize the creation or hiring of a county attorney position. It also does not grant standing authority to any county official to incur civil legal expenses outside the established appropriation process. By overriding the veto, the Quorum Court reinstated those limitations.
Robinson said he issued the veto because he believes the measure violates the Arkansas Constitution.
Following the override vote, discussion returned to the first agenda item when Justice Reginald Johnson attempted to make a motion to suspend the rules and move an ordinance to a third reading. Robinson ruled that Johnson was not recognized to make the motion.
Robinson said the motion had to be read before any action could be taken and that Johnson attempted to make his motion before that occurred. He also said he is not required to recognize a justice who is not following proper procedure during meetings.
That ordinance, if approved, would reduce funding tied to the Group Violence Intervention (GVI/GRIP) grant due to certain expenditures already being paid in 2025. Proposed reductions include $4,083.10 for extra help, $145.38 for Social Security matching, $288.01 for retirement matching, and $4,250 for advertising and promotion.
The second agenda item, introduced on first reading, involved an appropriation ordinance authorizing the use of unexpended grant funds from the 2025 budget year. The ordinance would appropriate $28,227 in remaining funds from Fund 3527 — Department of Finance grant monies — for use through July 31, 2026, in accordance with DFA grant guidelines.
The ordinance outlines allocations across multiple line items, including $16,850 for salaries, $1,317 for Social Security matching, $3,000 for general supplies, $500 each for medicines and drugs, paints and metals, and plumbing and electrical, and $1,000 each for clothing and uniforms, tires and tubes, computer services, and meals and lodging. Additional appropriations include $167.50 for dues and memberships and $1,392.50 for training and education. The ordinance also authorizes the county judge to approve a one-time staff bonus as permitted under the grant.
The third agenda item, also introduced on first reading, was a separate appropriation ordinance providing a supplemental appropriation for the county’s Emergency Vehicle Fund. The ordinance authorizes a supplemental appropriation of $13,039.51 to Fund 3022 for emergency vehicle expenses and allows the county judge to approve the distribution of those funds as outlined if passed.
