County attorney resigns

County attorney resigns after JPs decline funding positionLast Thursday, the quorum court tabled their proposed (and moot) ordinance on casino applicant letter and/or resolution of support.

However, there was more drama later in the meeting.

Apparently, the part-time county attorney position that has been there for decades had never been established by any ordinance and, at the last budget meeting, it was defunded, stupidly, because of that. During the quorum court meeting, Jennifer Sloan tried to rectify that with an ordinance, which was seconded by Jackson. Before it could get a first reading, Lane Scott interjected with a “point of order.” They ended up talking about it and someone brought up that it should go through the normal personnel process. Someone else mentioned declaring an emergency and getting it done that meeting. Sloan said that’s what she was hoping for. Judge Cross tried to corral things and get back on track so they could get out of there before the parade crowds and parking started blocking everything. Before he could get it to a first reading vote, Jackson withdrew his second and the Ordinance died for lack of a second.

Following the meeting:

County attorney resigns after JPs decline funding position

Pope County Attorney Deidre Luker resigned Thursday following the December Quorum Court meeting after Justices of the Peace declined to fund her position in 2022.
“I had to give 30 days’ notice according to the terms of my contract,” Luker said Monday. Her tenure as county attorney will end on Jan. 2.
Luker had no comment on the JP’s actions.
In her letter of resignation, she thanked County Judge Ben Cross for giving her the opportunity to represent the county during the past year.
“It has truly been a pleasure to represent Pope County and I appreciate the confidence you have shown in me,” Luker wrote. “If your office, the Quorum Court, or any of the other elected officials need legal assistance in the future, I hope you will consider allowing me to represent you all again.”
(read the rest of the article [paywalled])