County Judge — Jeff Phillips

Email: jeffp@jacksoncountyar.gov | Phone: (870) 523-7400 | Fax: (870) 523-7441

Duties of County Judge

The chief executive officer for county government in Arkansas is the county judge. As chief executive, the judge authorizes and approves the disbursement of all appropriated county funds, operates the system of county roads, administers ordinances enacted by the quorum court, has custody of county property, accepts grants from federal, state, public and private sources, hires county employees except those persons employed by other elected officials of the county, and presides over the quorum court without a vote, but with the power of veto. (A.C.A. 14-14-1101-1102)

All powers not vested in the county judge as the chief executive officer of the county shall continue to be exercised and administered by the county court, over which the county judge shall preside. The county court, in fact, is the county judge sitting in a judicial role.

Jurisdictional Matters

The county court has exclusive original jurisdiction in matters relating to:

County Taxes: Including real and personal ad valorem taxes collected by county government — assessment of property, equalization of assessments on appeal, tax levies, tax collections, and distribution of tax proceeds.
Paupers: County administrative actions affecting human services programs serving indigent residents financed by county funds.
Jurisdiction in cases necessary to internal improvement and local concerns including county financial activities, works of general public utility, trade and commerce, transportation, and development of natural resources.

Powers formerly vested under Section 28 of Article 7 of the Constitution were transferred to the county judge under the provisions of Section 3 of Amendment 55 to the Arkansas Constitution, and those powers removed by Amendment 67 as they pertain to the apprenticeship of minors. (A.C.A. 14-14-1105)

Contact

Office: 208 Main St, Newport, AR 72112
Phone: (870) 523-7400
Fax: (870) 523-7441