The bill amends sections 7-7-1 and 7-7-4 of the Code of West Virginia to provide increased salaries for county commissioners, sheriffs, county clerks, circuit clerks, county assessors, and prosecuting attorneys. It includes legislative findings that justify these salary increases based on the additional duties imposed on these officials since January 1, 2023, as well as the correlation between property valuations and the responsibilities of county officials. Notably, the bill eliminates the requirement for the Auditor to certify that a county's fiscal condition has improved sufficiently to support the salary increases, as well as the requirement for officials to file a written request for the salary increase prior to its effective date.

The new salary structure, effective July 1, 2026, outlines specific salary increases for county commissioners across various classes, with Class I commissioners set to earn $47,812, and salaries for other classes adjusted accordingly. The bill aims to ensure that the compensation for elected county officials reflects their increased responsibilities and aligns with the economic development of their respective counties.

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