CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Elected officials in Kanawha County are on their way to getting pay raises this summer. The county commission recently took advantage of a new state law opening the door for the increases.
Commission President Kent Carper said it’s been eight years since the last raise.
“Their salary is less than it was when they first ran for office,” Carper said. “The legislature saw that and gave them a raise that is probably less than three-quarters of a point (spread over) the last eight years.”
The new law allows for the raises if a county proves it can afford it and if the elected official asks for it. Carper said he would be surprised if any elected county officeholder turns it down.
“Let me point out, it’s been eight years,” he said.
The state Auditor’s Office recently certified that Kanawha County could afford to raise the salaries of the county commissioners, circuit clerk, county clerk, assessor , prosecutor and sheriff. The amount of the raise will be different for different officeholders.
Carper said the increases will kick-in July 1.