HB 1588: Cobb County; salaries of chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy sheriff, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff; provide

House Bill 1588 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Cummings of the 39th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Smith of the 41st, Campbell of the 35th, Adesanya of the 43rd, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend an Act changing the compensation of the clerk of the superior court, the sheriff, and the judge of the Probate Court of Cobb County from the fee system to the salary system, approved February 9, 1949 (Ga. L. 1949, p. 427), as amended, so as to provide that the salaries of the chief deputy sheriff, the assistant chief deputy sheriff, and the executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff of Cobb County; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

An Act changing the compensation of the clerk of the superior court, the sheriff, and the judge of the Probate Court of Cobb County from the fee system to the salary system, approved February 9, 1949 (Ga. L. 1949, p. 427), as amended, is amended by revising subsections (b) through (d) of Section 5 and adding a new subsection to read as follows: "(b) The sheriff of Cobb County shall have one chief deputy whose salary shall be determined by the sheriff, to be paid in equal monthly installments from the funds of Cobb County; provided, however, that salary increases shall be approved by the sheriff and the board of commissioners of Cobb County. The chief deputy sheriff shall possess the same qualifications for office as required for the sheriff. The chief deputy shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. The sheriff, at the time he or she takes office, shall designate and certify to the judge of the probate court the name of the person who shall be his or her chief deputy sheriff. In the event the office of sheriff becomes vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled until the next general election by said chief deputy, who shall in such event enter upon the performance of said duties upon taking the oath of office prescribed by law for the sheriff of Cobb County. The chief deputy sheriff is authorized, when directed by the sheriff, to discharge any and all of the duties and powers of the sheriff. In addition to said chief deputy, said sheriff shall be authorized to name and appoint such additional deputies as shall be approved from time to time by the governing authority of Cobb County. The salaries of said additional deputies shall be set by the governing authority of Cobb County; provided, however, that said salaries shall not be less than $4,880.00 per annum per each additional deputy approved by said governing authority of Cobb County. In addition to the chief deputy and other deputies provided for in this subsection, the sheriff of Cobb County shall be authorized to employ the clerical help necessary to perform properly the functions and duties of his or her office, provided that the number of employees and salaries or other compensation to be paid to each shall first be approved by the governing authority of Cobb County.

(c) In addition to those employees provided for by subsection (b) of this section, there is created the office of assistant chief deputy for Cobb County. The assistant chief deputy shall be appointed by the sheriff, shall be under his or her direct supervision and control, and shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. The individual appointed by the sheriff of Cobb County shall possess, at a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent and shall either be a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy for Peace Officers or possess ten years of actual experience as a peace officer or be a graduate of a law school accredited by the Georgia Bar Association or be a graduate of the Southern Police Institute School of Police Management and Administration or have a master's degree from an accredited college or university. The salary of the assistant chief deputy shall be determined by the sheriff, to be paid in equal monthly installments from the funds of Cobb County; provided, however, that salary increases shall be approved by the sheriff and the board of commissioners of Cobb County.

(d) In addition to those employees provided for by subsections (b) and (c) of this section, there is created the position of executive assistant to the sheriff. The executive assistant shall be appointed by the sheriff, shall be under his or her direct supervision and control, and shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. The sheriff shall establish such qualifications, education, and experience as he or she deems necessary for the individual appointed to the position of executive assistant. The salary of the executive assistant shall be determined by the sheriff, to be paid in equal monthly installments from the funds of Cobb County; provided, however, that salary increases shall be approved by the sheriff and the board of commissioners of Cobb County.

(e) In addition to the compensation provided for in this subsection, the chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy, deputies, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be entitled to any cost-of-living increase or merit increase approved by the governing authority of Cobb County for county employees."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.