Circuit clerks, salary, pay range increased effective January 2025, based on Unified Judicial System pay plan, Sec. 12-17-81 am'd.
If enacted, SB118 will amend Section 12-17-81 of the Code of Alabama 1975, effectively increasing the salaries of circuit clerks. This increase will not only raise the base salary but also ensure that salaries are adjusted annually in accordance with the steps outlined in the Unified Judicial System's pay plan. Local supplements currently provided to clerks will not be diminished; however, the bill maintains that existing compensation structures that have been in place since before July 1, 1998, remain intact. This legislative change seeks to address concerns regarding equitable pay across the system and retain qualified personnel in these critical administrative roles.
SB118 proposes to revise the salary structure for all circuit clerks within the state's judicial system. The bill stipulates that starting from January 2025, the annual salary for circuit clerks, including the Deputy Circuit Clerk of the Bessemer Division, will be set at step one of pay grade 86 of the Unified Judicial System's pay plan. This change aims to standardize pay and provide a clear salary increase pathway for clerks based on the existing pay plan, which may be adjusted over time. The intention behind this adjustment is to ensure that the salaries for circuit clerks reflect their roles within the administrative framework of the judicial system and offer fair compensation looking forward.
While the bill primarily focuses on compensation, there may be potential points of contention regarding budgetary implications and the timing of these increases. Advocates for the bill argue that appropriate salaries lead to better performance and retention of clerks, while critics may raise concerns about the impact on the state budget, especially if these increases strain resources that could be allocated elsewhere. Furthermore, as the pay plan evolves, there might be discussions on how future changes will be managed to maintain both fiscal responsibility and fair compensation.