Marengo County; coroner and deputy coroner, compensation and travel expense
HB87 is a local act affecting Marengo County and revises the compensation structure for the county coroner. It increases the coroner’s monthly expense allowance from $400 to $1,000, keeps the mileage allowance at 22 cents per mile, and makes clear that these payments are paid from the county general fund and replace any conflicting allowances provided by general law. The bill also authorizes the Marengo County Commission to allow the coroner to appoint a deputy coroner who serves at the coroner’s pleasure, with the deputy’s expense allowance set by the commission and paid from county funds.
The bill further gives the county commission authority to increase the coroner’s and deputy coroner’s expense and mileage allowances beginning October 1, 2026, and at the start of each fiscal year thereafter. It specifies that the local allowances are in lieu of general-law allowances and that acceptance of the local payments waives any overlapping general-law benefits. The act becomes effective June 1, 2025.
HB87 amends Section 45-46-60 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as it applies only to Marengo County, changing the statutory compensation and travel reimbursement rules for the county coroner and creating optional authority for a deputy coroner position. It shifts financial responsibility to the county general fund and gives the county commission ongoing discretion to adjust allowances in future fiscal years, thereby superseding any inconsistent general-law provisions for these offices.
The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support for the bill in both chambers, with no recorded dissenting votes. There are no committee transcripts indicating opposition or debate, and the bill was enacted, suggesting the measure was broadly viewed as a routine local compensation adjustment rather than a controversial policy change.
No notable contention is reflected in the available record. The only substantive policy choices in the bill are the size of the coroner’s pay increase, the authorization for a deputy coroner, and the delegation of future adjustment authority to the county commission. Because the votes were unanimous and no committee discussion is provided, there is no evidence of organized opposition from legislators, county officials, or affected officeholders.