This bill amends sections 7-7-1 and 7-7-4 of the Code of West Virginia to authorize county commissions to increase the compensation of elected county officials. It removes previous legislative findings regarding the imposition of additional duties on county officials since January 1, 2015, and instead emphasizes that local governments are best positioned to determine the fiscal justification for salary increases. The bill also introduces new provisions that require county commissions to review the annual Consumer Price Index every two years to assess potential salary increases for county officials based on budgetary growth.

Additionally, the bill establishes specific salary schedules for county commissioners and other elected officials, with provisions for increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. It stipulates that any salary increases must not violate constitutional provisions and cannot be granted if the county is delinquent in its regional jail per diem payments. The changes aim to ensure that compensation adjustments for county officials are aligned with economic conditions and the financial health of the counties they serve.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-7-1, 7-7-4
Committee Substitute: 7-7-1, 7-7-4
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 7-7-1, 7-7-4