HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. (AP) A mayor in eastern Arkansas is defending his move to fire the city’s District Court staff as an effort to reform the judicial system.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Helena-West Helena Mayor Kevin Smith says he doesn’t believe he overstepped his authority when he terminated the court’s six employees last week.
Smith says he met with the City Council on Monday regarding potential litigation over his decision. Smith says some council members believe District Court staff are classified as state employees, not city employees.
Smith says the firings come partly in response to November findings of financial irregularities with the court.
District Court Judge Durwood King wrote in a letter to City Council that he designates the mayor as supervisor over district court employees until more clarification is provided.
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