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WHEELING -- Elected officials in Ohio County will receive pay raises after state officials informed county commissioners the increases are required under state law and cannot be declined.
The West Virginia Legislature earlier this year passed legislation increasing salaries for county commissioners and other elected county officials statewide, but Ohio County commissioners had questioned whether they were required to fund the raises.
Solicitor Don Tennant previously said he would contact the West Virginia Auditor’s Office to determine whether county commissions could decline to implement the increases.
During a special meeting held by teleconference Tuesday evening, Tennant informed commissioners the raises are mandatory.
“There is no formula to decline the pay raise,” Tennant said.
County Administrator Randy Russell previously explained the increases represent about a 10% increase in personnel costs for the county.
Tennant said the auditor’s office also is requiring counties to include the new salary schedule in their budgets.
Commission President Zach Abraham and commissioners Randy Wharton and Don Nickerson unanimously approved the new pay schedule.
The commission next will need to amend the county budget to cover the additional expense. That item is scheduled for consideration during a special meeting at 6 p.m. July 28.
Senate Bill 587 establishes a new salary schedule for county officials, including commissioners, sheriffs, county clerks, circuit clerks, assessors and prosecuting attorneys.
The pay increases took effect June 30, according to the legislation.
Under the new salary schedule for Class 1 counties, the annual salaries are: sheriff, $59,633; county clerk, $71,717; circuit clerk, $71,717; assessor, $59,633; prosecuting attorney, $124,962; and county commissioner, $47,812.