Commission balks at complying with state law on deputy pay
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The Berkeley County Commission on Thursday delayed the allocation of $28,495 in bonus money that is due to Sheriff's Department deputies by state law because the commission said it lacked a formal request from Sheriff W. Randy Smith.
Smith said Thursday that the bonus money fell victim earlier this year to the commission's budget cuts, which he agreed to allow in an effort to help the county in tough economic times.
"When they cut the budget as much as they did, (the money) wasn't there," Smith said.
Smith previously was assured by the commission that the sheriff's department budget would be restored to a state-mandated level for the next sheriff, who will take office Jan. 1 - midway through the county fiscal year. Smith is finishing the second of two, four-year terms and by law can not run again for the office.