By Ray King
The Jefferson County Quorum Court on Tuesday postponed a decision on appointing a new Circuit Clerk after questions arose about the legality of their actions.
The County’s legislative body had met in special session to appoint current Deputy Clerk Barbara Collins to fill the unexpired term of Lafayette Woods Sr., who has held the office of Circuit Clerk for the past 12 years. On Sept. 23, Woods notified County Judge Gerald Robinson and members of the Quorum Court that he would be retiring Oct. 1 “in order to focus more on my personal health and family.”
Woods had recommended that Collins fill his position until the 2022 election hen current Chief Deputy Clerk Flora Cook-Bishop, who Woods has endorsed, can run for the office.
Justice of the Peace Dr. Conley Byrd made a motion to accept Woods resignation and appoint Collins, which got a second, before County Attorney Terry Wynne stepped in. Wynne said that in order to fill the vacancy, the Quorum Court first had to declare a vacancy and that action must be printed in a newspaper as a legal notice.
Wynne said he spoke with an attorney with the Arkansas Association of Counties who said that until a new circuit clerk is appointed, the deputy clerks would be able to receive and file court paperwork. He also said that the Quorum Court would make the final decision on who to select but other people who might be interested in the job could also apply.
Robinson has scheduled a second special meeting of the Quorum Court Thursday at 5:15 p.m. to try and make the appointment.