Jefferson Co. Judge looking to eliminate jobs, give pay raises to road department, again

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Arkansas — In Jefferson County, the Quorum Court and County Judge Gerald Robinson continue to bump heads and feud over money. 

The latest chapter arrived Tuesday night when members of the court try to set an agenda, with Robinson pushing for an item that would eliminate positions with the road department. 

He wants to consolidate salaries and offer raises to others. Robinson tried doing this last month, too.

Justice of the Peace Reverend Alfred Carroll said this is not how they do budgets or give raises. He said Robinson approved the budget and is now trying to go back and take the money to give raises to a select few.

“If you can manipulate the budget to eliminate three people off the payroll and take the money and divide it among people in a way that is not equally distributed, you can buy loyalty. You can buy loyalty from employees. If you just want to know the truth, you do that, and when you do that, it keeps employees from not necessarily becoming whistleblowers, it keeps employees quiet, it allows the status quo to continue,” Carroll said.

Judge Robinson declined to comment.