REGULATION-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 749 adjusts salaries for Carroll County commissioners, ensuring annual raises and setting contract limits, impacting county budgeting and employee compensation.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

# Summary of House Bill 749 (HB 749) ## Purpose and Intent House Bill 749 (HB 749) aims to amend existing legislation concerning the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, Georgia. The bill primarily focuses on revising the annual salaries of the chairperson and members of the commission, establishing guidelines for contractual expenditures, and ensuring adjustments based on cost-of-living increases. ## Key Provisions 1. **Compensation Adjustments**: - **Chairperson Salary**: The chairperson's annual salary will be set to the base salary of the Carroll County sheriff plus an additional $25,000. This salary will also include a longevity increase as specified in Georgia law. - **Commission Members Salary**: Each member of the commission (excluding the chairperson) will receive an annual salary of $20,250. This salary will be treated as a full-time salary for the purposes of cost-of-living increases. - **Expense Allowances**: The chairperson will receive an annual expense allowance of $7,700, while other commission members will receive $3,100. 2. **Cost-of-Living Adjustments**: - Starting July 1, 2025, the salaries of the commissioners will be adjusted based on the greater of either the percentage increase applicable to full-time county employees or the amount specified in Georgia law. 3. **Contractual Expenditures**: - The bill authorizes the Board of Commissioners to approve contracts involving expenditures over $35,000, with this amount subject to annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 4. **Effective Date**: - The provisions of this bill will take effect on January 1, 2026. 5. **Repeal of Conflicting Laws**: - Any laws conflicting with this act will be repealed to ensure clarity and compliance. ## Affected Parties - **Carroll County Board of Commissioners**: The bill directly impacts the compensation structure for the chairperson and members of the commission. - **County Employees**: The adjustments in salaries and allowances may indirectly affect county employees through the established cost-of-living adjustments. - **Taxpayers**: Changes in compensation and contractual expenditure limits may influence county budgeting and taxpayer contributions. ## Procedural Timeline - **Introduced**: March 10, 2025 - **House Passed**: March 21, 2025 - **Senate Passed**: March 31, 2025 - **Signed by Governor**: May 13, 2025 - **Effective Date**: January 1, 2026 ## Related Legislation - **SB 675**: A companion bill that may address similar issues or provide additional context to HB 749. This summary provides an overview of HB 749, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the potential impact on the Carroll County community.