PINE BLUFF, AR – The Jefferson County Quorum Court met Monday evening to finalize the 2025 budget, aiming to address the ongoing issue of delayed employee pay. However, the session concluded without a resolution, leaving county employees still unpaid.
At the heart of the deadlock are disagreements between Quorum Court members and County Judge Gerald Robinson over key elements of the proposed budget. The judge’s plan includes job cuts and salary reductions, measures he argues are necessary to balance the county’s finances. However, some justices oppose the proposal, citing concerns about its potential impact on county personnel and operations.
“This budget directly affects the livelihoods of hardworking employees,” said one justice who spoke against the proposal. “We need to find a solution that doesn’t force unnecessary sacrifices.”
The stalemate has exacerbated frustrations among county employees, who have already faced weeks of uncertainty over their pay. Despite lengthy discussions, no alternative proposals were presented during the meeting, and no timeline was given for when a resolution might be reached.
The Quorum Court is expected to reconvene in the coming days to revisit the budget and address the critical need to compensate employees. For now, the county workforce remains in limbo, awaiting a solution to the financial impasse.
County officials have not released further details about how they plan to resolve the issue, but the pressure to act continues to mount as employees and residents alike call for swift action.