Pulaski County’s chief executive says Treasurer Debra Buckner’s allegations of financial mismanagement are wrong, and that she should step down immediately.
In a news conference Friday afternoon, County Judge Barry Hyde said, while a formal audit of the county’s finances is pending, an internal review contradicted Buckner’s claims that the county’s budget ended the past three years with significant deficits.
“There has been no mismanagement and no negligence in the handling of county funds by my office,” Hyde said. “The recent accusations made by the county treasurer point to either her clear lack of understanding of how money flows through the county budget, or a willful disregard for that process. Either is deeply concerning, and it’s unacceptable.”
Buckner alleged at an April 6 Quorum Court meeting that the county’s general fund ended the previous three years with consistent shortfalls between roughly $33 and $38 million, and that no cash reserves had been requested to help fund revised budget increases.
Her allegations resulted in a heated exchange with Hyde at the meeting, as reported by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Quorum Court members voted for an emergency fund transfer of roughly $42 million in response to Buckner’s claims a shortfall in the county’s general fund would prevent sending paychecks to county employees. Hyde said Buckner had no reason to alert county leaders of suspicions the county wouldn’t be able to make its $2 million weekly payroll.
“There was no emergency situation. The funds were there for payroll. Her actions were inappropriate and irresponsible. Our employees depend on a timely and reliable pay, and elected officials have a duty to protect them – not create unnecessary fear and uncertainty.”
Pulaski County Comptroller Michael Hutchens said neither he nor Hyde altered the county’s budget without the express approval of the Quorum Court, and that Buckner was made aware by her Director of Operations of the accurate year-end budget totals. He said the general fund ended 2023 with a balance of $28.5 million, and a balance of roughly $4 million the following year.
Hutchens said the county’s general fund ended 2025 with a roughly $5 million deficit, largely because of funds that hadn’t yet been collected.
“Once those receivables were recovered, they were expected to significantly reduce that deficit. And I’m pleased to report that one of the largest outstanding balances that has now been resolved, with the City of Little Rock, has been fully paid up,” Hutchens said.
Hutchens said Buckner didn’t consider other revenue sources and ordinances passed by the Quorum Court appropriating funds to various budgets making up the general fund. He added that the county’s general fund typically reflected a negative balance at the beginning of the year, largely due to the “timing and structure of tax collection” and a loss of COVID-19 relief funds.
Buckner has served as Pulaski County Treasurer for nearly three decades, winning re-election to another four-year term last month. Hyde lost his most recent re-election bid to his Democratic primary challenger, retired Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen, who faces Republican Michael Rushin in November.
Buckner’s office did not return Little Rock Public Radio’s requests for comment.
