Census-based Salary Adjustments for County Officials Effective July 1, 2011.

Sheriffs, tax commissioners, superior court clerks, probate judges, magistrates, as well as some coroners and sole commissioners are currently entitled to a minimum annual salary based on the 2000 population of the county.  However, effective July 1, 2011, the population of your county according to the 2010 census must be used for computing such salaries.  O.C.G.A. 1-3-1 (d)(2)(A).  If your county’s population has increased enough to place it in a higher base salary category, then the salaries of the respective county officials will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Please review the 2010 census information to determine whether your county’s population is now in a higher salary category.  If your county’s population has increased to a higher salary category, then you will need to calculate a new minimum salary for your county officials effective July 1, 2011.   If your county’s population increased but you remain in the same base salary bracket, then there will be no impact on the salaries of your county officials at this time.  If your county lost population in the 2010 census, salaries are not reduced since state law requires that the previous higher census numbers be used.

Contact Jim Grubiak or Kelly Pridgen at ACCG if you have any questions. 404.522.5022