BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1780
	By: Zaffirini
	Intergovernmental Relations
	5/31/2017
	Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law generally restricts compensation of a county auditor from exceeding the total compensation of the highest paid elected county officer, other than a judge of a statutory county court, whose salary and allowances are set by the commissioners court. Several exceptions to this general rule for certain counties, however, are authorized in statute.

 

In Live Oak County, the current auditor's salary is based on that of the highest paid elected official, the county attorney, who recently left office in 2016. As a result, the auditor's salary in the county's next budget cycle would be based on the next highest paid county official, the county judge. This salary differential, however, would result in the auditor receiving a significant pay cut. What's more, the present statutory restriction on the auditor's compensation would impede the ability of the county to attract a new, highly qualified certified public accountant with the necessary auditing skills. The county, therefore, seeks to amend the law to allow the county commissioners court to set the compensation and allowances of the auditor in an amount that exceeds this restriction.

 

S.B. 1780 thus extends to Live Oak County the authorization for the county commissioners court to set the compensation and allowances of the county auditor in an amount that exceeds the limit otherwise established by statute, if the compensation and allowances are approved by the county commissioners court.

 

S.B. 1780 amends current law relating to the amount of compensation and allowances of a county auditor in certain counties.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 152.032(d), Local Government Code, to provide that this subsection (relating to the compensation and allowances of a county auditor) applies only to certain counties, including a county with a population of more than 11,000 and less than 11,650 and redesignates existing Subdivision (4) as Subdivision (5).

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017. �