Three Arkansas lawmakers from Pine Bluff have introduced legislation directed at taking on the crisis in Jefferson County caused by the lack of a budget being passed for 2025 by the Jefferson County Quorum Court.
House Bill 1331, introduced by Rep. Glenn Barnes and supported by Reps. Kenneth B. Ferguson and Mike Holcomb, seeks to address the financial crisis in Jefferson County and prevent similar situations in other Arkansas counties. The bill proposes that if a county fails to pass a new budget ordinance, it must continue operating under the previous year’s budget.
The inclusion of an emergency clause means the bill would take effect immediately upon passage.
Jefferson County has been in a budget deadlock for over a month, with unresolved conflicts between quorum court justices and County Judge Gerald Robinson. This impasse has led to significant financial disruptions, including unpaid county employees and outstanding debts to vendors.
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson told Deltaplex News that he is in favor of this.
The proposed legislation aims to restore financial stability and ensure continuity in county operations during budgetary disputes.
