As previously reported by Deltaplex News, Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson called a special meeting for Monday night in an effort to advance legislation that would pay several county vendors who have gone without compensation for months.
Among those owed are Floyd Donald, who provides state-required video recording services for quorum court meetings; Demarius Mims, who oversees cleaning services for the county health department; and County Attorney Terry Wynne. Despite the ongoing funding dispute, all three have continued performing their duties without interruption.
Tensions escalated after the most recent quorum court meeting, where Mims exchanged words with Justice Alfred Carroll. Carroll—along with several other justices—voted against the budget line item that would have funded her compensation.
Robinson said he hoped the special-called meeting would break the impasse and allow the county to pay its outstanding obligations. However, several justices notified him in advance that they would not attend Monday night’s session, raising doubts about whether a quorum could be reached.
Justices Melanie Dumas, Reginald Johnson, Rick Victorino and Margarette Williams stated by email that they would be unable to participate. Brenda Bishop-Gaddy also contacted Robinson to let him know she would not be in attendance.
As the meeting time arrived, Justices Alfred Carroll, Reginald Adams and Cedric Jackson did not show, leaving Robinson and the five attending justices without a quorum. Jackson informed Robinson that he did not receive notice of the meeting, despite email records showing it was sent to him along with all other members.
Robinson told Deltaplex News on Monday night that he and five justices have been trying for six months to pass the appropriations needed to pay the vendors but have been unable to do so because of opposition from the other eight members of the court.
He added that he believes the eight justices have taken things personal and will not allow vendors to be paid because of that.
Robinson added that vendors may be preparing to bring legal action against the quorum court due to lack of payments.
Robinson added that he believes the eight justices are attempting to build a government inside of a government, accusing them of refusing to pass items that clear committee, declining to attend special-called meetings he schedules so county business can be conducted, and instead calling their own special meetings to advance items they did not bring through committee for placement on the regular agenda.
He also said the group’s majority on the quorum court demonstrates they were responsible for delaying the budget earlier this year, which he argues contributed to some county employees going without pay.
Robinson has scheduled another special-called meeting for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in an effort to once again secure approval to pay the vendors.
