By Ray King
For the first time since 2022, the Jefferson County Quorum Court has a procedures ordinance, but there is a catch, it is only good until Feb. 28.
Under state law, at their first meeting of the year, quorum courts are supposed to adopt an ordinance setting out how they will conduct business during regular and special meetings.
Jefferson County did not do that, although they tried, and for two years, 2023 and 2024, everything they did was illegal.
Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter talked about that when he addressed the Quorum Court Monday.
Monday night, the justices of the peace debated between an ordinance drafted by County Judge Gerald Robinson and one drafted by several JP’s and voted to split the difference, adopting the one from Robinson with the understanding they could amend it and add some of the things contained in the one prepared by the JP’s.
There are several differences between the two, including the number of committees. Robinson’s calls for four standing committees, the number currently in effect. The other proposal calls for eight committees.
It also provides that JP’s may be on only one committee at a time for a term of one year and for no more than two consecutive years, and the quorum court reserves the right to designate a subcommittee to conduct any public hearings on legislative matters and this measure is not subject to veto. Also, this proposed agenda includes a provision for reports from constitutional officers in the order of business for meetings while Robinson’s does not include that.
Robinson’s version provides that he will create new committees as he sees fit, appoint members of committees, and appoint all chairpersons of committees. There are no limitations on the number of committees a person may serve on.