HB1588: HB1588 Cobb County; salaries of chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy sheriff, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff; provide
2025-2026 Regular Session · Enrolled version · Last action May 12, 2026
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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,1
and the judge of the Probate Court of Cobb County from the fee system to the salary system,2
approved February 9, 1949 (Ga. L. 1949, p. 427), as amended, so as to provide that the3
salaries of the chief deputy sheriff, the assistant chief deput y sheriff, and the executive4
assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff of Cobb County; to provide for5
related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
An Act changing the compensation of the clerk of the superior c ourt, the sheriff, and the9
judge of the Probate Court of Cobb County from the fee system t o the salary system,10
approved February 9, 1949 (Ga. L. 1949, p. 427), as amended, is amended by revising11
subsections (b) through (d) of Section 5 and adding a new subsection to read as follows:12
"(b) The sheriff of Cobb County shall have one chief deputy who se salary shall be13
determined by the sheriff, to be paid in equal monthly installments from the funds of Cobb14
County; provided, however, that salary increases shall be approved by the sheriff and the15
board of commissioners of Cobb County. The chief deputy sheriff shall possess the same16
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qualifications for office as required for the sheriff. The chi ef deputy shall serve at the17
pleasure of the sheriff. The sheriff, at the time he or she takes office, shall designate and18
certify to the judge of the probate court the name of the person who shall be his or her chief19
deputy sheriff. In the event the office of sheriff becomes vacant by death, resignation, or20
otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled until the next general election by said chief deputy,21
who shall in such event enter upon the performance of said duties upon taking the oath of22
office prescribed by law for the sheriff of Cobb County. The c hief deputy sheriff is23
authorized, when directed by the sheriff, to discharge any and all of the duties and powers24
of the sheriff. In addition to said chief deputy, said sheriff shall be authorized to name and25
appoint such additional deputies as shall be approved from time to time by the governing26
authority of Cobb County. The salaries of said additional depu ties shall be set by the27
governing authority of Cobb County; provided, however, that said salaries shall not be less28
than $4,880.00 per annum per each additional deputy approved by said governing authority29
of Cobb County. In addition to the chief deputy and other depu ties provided for in this30
subsection, the sheriff of Cobb County shall be authorized to e mploy the clerical help31
necessary to perform properly the functions and duties of his or her office, provided that32
the number of employees and salaries or other compensation to be paid to each shall first33
be approved by the governing authority of Cobb County.34
(c) In addition to those employees provided for by subsection (b) of this section, there is35
created the office of assistant chief deputy for Cobb County. The assistant chief deputy36
shall be appointed by the sheriff, shall be under his or her direct supervision and control,37
and shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. The individual appointed by the sheriff of38
Cobb County shall possess, at a minimum, a high school education or its equivalent and39
shall either be a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy for40
Peace Officers or possess ten years of actual experience as a peace officer or be a graduate41
of a law school accredited by the Georgia Bar Association or be a graduate of the Southern42
Police Institute School of Police Management and Administration or have a master's degree43
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from an accredited college or university. The salary of the assistant chief deputy shall be44
determined by the sheriff, to be paid in equal monthly installments from the funds of Cobb45
County; provided, however, that salary increases shall be approved by the sheriff and the46
board of commissioners of Cobb County.47
(d) In addition to those employees provided for by subsections (b) and (c) of this section,48
there is created the position of executive assistant to the she riff. The executive assistant49
shall be appointed by the sheriff, shall be under his or her direct supervision and control,50
and shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. The sheriff shall establish such qualifications,51
education, and experience as he or she deems necessary for the individual appointed to the52
position of executive assistant. The salary of the executive assistant shall be determined53
by the sheriff, to be paid in equal monthly installments from t he funds of Cobb County;54
provided, however, that salary increases shall be approved by the sheriff and the board of55
commissioners of Cobb County.56
(e) In addition to the compensation provided for in this subsection, the chief deputy sheriff,57
assistant chief deputy, deputies, and executive assistant to th e sheriff shall be entitled to58
any cost-of-living increase or merit increase approved by the governing authority of Cobb59
County for county employees."60
SECTION 2.61
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.62
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