Sec. 3.5. (a) The county fiscal body shall establish a salary schedule in which the salary of a county assessor who has attained a level three certification under IC 6-1.1-35.5 is at least one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) more than the salary of a county assessor who has a level two certification. A salary schedule established under this subsection may take into account salary adjustments retained under subsection (c). If a county assessor who takes office with a level two certification attains a level three certification not later than January 1 of the third year of the county assessor’s term of office, the county assessor is entitled to be paid the salary of a county assessor who has attained a level three certification, beginning on the date the county assessor attains the level three certification.

     (b) The county fiscal body shall establish a salary schedule in which the salary of an elected township assessor of the county who has attained a level three certification under IC 6-1.1-35.5 is at least one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) more than the salary of an elected township assessor who has a level two certification. A salary schedule established under this subsection may take into account salary adjustments retained under subsection (c). If a township assessor who takes office with a level two certification attains a level three certification not later than January 1 of the third year of the township assessor’s term of office, the township assessor is entitled to be paid the salary of a township assessor who has attained a level three certification, beginning on the date the township assessor attains the level three certification.

     (c) Beginning January 1, 2016, the following apply:

(1) The one thousand dollar ($1,000) additional annual compensation paid under section 3(b) of this chapter (as it read on December 31, 2015) to a county assessor or an elected township assessor who has attained a level two or level three certification under IC 6-1.1-35.5 shall be paid as part of the annual compensation of the assessor.

(2) The five hundred dollar ($500) additional annual compensation paid under section 3(b) of this chapter (as it read on December 31, 2015) to a county or township deputy assessor who has attained a level two or level three certification under IC 6-1.1-35.5 shall be paid as part of the annual compensation of the deputy assessor.

It is the intent of this subsection that after December 31, 2015, there not be a reduction in the annual compensation paid to an individual under section 3(b) of this chapter because of its removal from the Indiana Code on January 1, 2016.

     (d) The county fiscal body shall establish a salary schedule in which the salary of county or township deputy assessor who has attained a level two or level three certification under IC 6-1.1-35.5 is at least five hundred dollars ($500) more than the salary of a deputy assessor who has not attained a level two or a level three certification, beginning on the date the township assessor attains the level two or level three certification. A salary schedule established under this subsection may take into account salary adjustments retained under subsection (c).

As added by P.L.167-2015, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.149-2016, SEC.94.