SB615 H GO AM 3-4

Schiffour 3192

The Committee on Government Organization moves to amend the bill on page five, section four, line 106, by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“(f) Beginning on March 1, 2020 and continuing until July 1, 2026, a pilot program consisting of all counties of this state will permit each county to review it’s increase in the annual county budget for salary increases every two years up to the average of the Chained Consumer Price Index for the prior two years. Prior to the end of the study, the Joint Committee on Government and Finance shall report to the legislature its recommendations, conclusions, and findings, along with possible legislation relating to continuing the program.

(1) On March 1, 2020, and each second year after until March 1, 2026, the county commission of each county shall review the annual Chained Consumer Price Index published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and determine if the proposed annual county budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, has increased over the previous fiscal year in an amount sufficient for the payment of an increase in the salaries and the related employment taxes of the county commissioners, other elected county officials, and county employees in an amount up to the average increase in the Chained Consumer Price Index over the prior two years.

(2) If the proposed annual county budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, has increased during the previous fiscal year in an amount sufficient for the payment of an increase in the salaries and the related employment taxes of the county commissioners, other elected county officials, and county employees in an amount up to the average increase in the Chained Consumer Price Index, then the county commission may set, including an increase up to the average increase in the Chained Consumer Price Index, as determined by the county commission: (A) the salary of the county commissioners and other elected county officials, at an annual rate of salary to which the county official is entitled pursuant to the salary schedule contained in this section, and (B) the salary for a county employee: Provided, That the county commission publishes notice to the public through newspapers, flyers, electronic postings, or other reliable methods for the county that the county commission is conducting a meeting regarding the budget and review of salaries for salary increases.

(3) Before the increased salaries are paid to the county commissioners and the elected county officials, the following requirements must be met:

(A) Each county commissioner or other elected county official described in this section who is in office on the effective date of the increased salaries provided by this section who desires to receive the increased salary, and has prior to that date filed in the office of the clerk of the county commission his or her written agreement to accept the salary increase. Any person who fails to file the written agreement to accept the salary increase shall retain their salary in effect without an increase until the person vacates office, the person’s term of office expires, or another salary increase is proposed and accepted by the official, whichever first occurs.

(B) Any written agreement relating to a salary increase shall use the following language:

“I [name of office holder], the duly elected [name of office] in and for the County of [name of county], West Virginia, do hereby request a salary increase pursuant to W. Va. Code §7-7-4, as amended. This salary increase is effective July 1, [year].”

[Signature of office holder]

[Date]

(4) If there is an insufficient projected increase in revenues to pay the increased salaries and the related employment taxes, the salaries of that county’s elected officials and employees remain at the level in effect at the time the county commission reviewed such salaries.

(5) The State Auditor shall report information to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance at least bi-annually relating to county employment statistics, if available, the county budget, a review of the Chained Consumer Price Index, and the number of counties providing raises to county commissioners, other elected county officials, and county employees.”

Adopted

Rejected