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Quorum court approves revised per-diem ordinance for justices of the peace after lengthy debate
Summary
Washington County justices passed an ordinance amending per-diem and meeting pay for justices of the peace. The measure, amended on the floor, recognizes state statutory caps; multiple amendment attempts failed before passage.
The Washington County Quorum Court approved an ordinance establishing salaries and per-diem payments for justices of the peace after extended debate and several failed amendments.
Counsel read the ordinance as “An ordinance establishing the salaries for justices of the peace and for other matters pertaining thereto.” Justice Lyons moved an amendment reflecting counsel’s updated draft; that amendment carried. Multiple proposals to scale back the change failed on the floor, including an amendment to set pay at 80% of the state maximum and a separate amendment to fix a $300-per-meeting per diem across the board. Both of those amendments failed on roll call.
Discussion and reasoning: supporters said higher per-diem rates would broaden the pool of people able to serve and compensate long-standing public service. Opponents and some justices urged an incremental approach, noting budget impacts and that the Arkansas General Assembly was in session and could alter the statutory maximum. Justice Bruns and others noted the court had budgeted for the maximum in the current year but that an ordinance formalizing the change was missing; Justice Bruns said the action could require approximately $135,000 in additional recurring appropriations.
A motion to pass as amended (per the new draft) was moved by Justice Lyons and seconded by Justice Lemming; the final roll call recorded the ordinance as passed. The court debated the timing and fiscal implications; several justices urged including line-item adjustments in future budgets rather than large midyear changes.
Technical/legal context: counsel told the court that state law sets an annual statutory cap tied to county size and that any local per-diem ordinance must observe that cap. Counsel also advised that budgets must reflect per-diem changes going forward.
What’s next: the ordinance will be implemented according to the amended language approved by the court; clerks and the county finance department will update payroll and budget forecasts for the next fiscal cycle.
