This bill amends sections 7-7-1 and 7-7-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, to authorize county commissions to increase the compensation of elected county officials. It removes several legislative findings related to the justification for salary increases based on additional duties imposed on county officials since 2015 and the correlation between property valuations and the duties of these officials. Instead, it introduces new findings that emphasize local governments' ability to make fiscal determinations regarding salary increases while ensuring compliance with the state constitution.

Additionally, the bill outlines a structured process for salary increases, including a requirement for county commissions to review the annual Consumer Price Index every two years to determine if budget increases justify salary adjustments for county officials. It specifies that any salary increases must not violate constitutional provisions and sets conditions under which increases cannot be made, particularly if a county is delinquent in its regional jail payment obligations. The bill aims to provide a clearer framework for salary adjustments while ensuring accountability and compliance with legal standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-7-1, 7-7-4