§ 2-306. Compensation and expenses of elected officials.

(a)

The council may by ordinance change the annual salary of the mayor, the president of the council, or councilmembers, subject to the following conditions and requirements:

(1)

Such action shall take into consideration any recommendation made by the Elected Officials Compensation Commission as provided in Chapter 7 of this article;

(2)

No action to increase such salaries shall be taken until notice of intent to take the action has been published in a newspaper of general circulation designated as the legal organ in the county and in the city at least once a week for three consecutive weeks immediately preceding the week during which the action is taken;

(3)

Any action to change such salaries shall not become effective until the date of commencement of the terms of the mayor, president of the council, and councilmembers elected at the next regular municipal election following such action;

(4)

Such action shall not be taken during the period between the date when the candidates for election to the positions of mayor, president of the council, and councilmembers may first qualify as candidates and the date when the mayor, president of the council, and councilmembers take office following their election; and

(5)

The amount established for each councilmember shall be the same.

(b)

As used in this section, the words "salary or compensation" shall include any expense allowance or any form of payment or reimbursement of expenses, except reimbursement of expenses actually and necessarily incurred by the mayor, president of the council, or councilmember in carrying out his or her official duties. The council is authorized to provide by ordinance for the reimbursement of such actual and necessary expenses.

(1996 Ga. L. (Act No. 1019), p. 4469)