A person who in his official capacity willfully violates the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $500, or confined in jail not more than one year, or both. Upon conviction he shall also forfeit his office: Provided, That no liability shall arise under the provisions of this section so far as obligations may have been incurred or may be incurred prior to the time tax levies may be made under the provisions of this article by fiscal bodies having for their purpose the maintenance and operation of free schools or other governmental functions for the fiscal year one thousand nine hundred thirty-three--one thousand nine hundred thirty-four.
Proceedings for the removal of a member of a local fiscal body who has willfully or with gross negligence violated any of the provisions of this article shall be brought and maintained in accordance with and shall be subject to the provisions of section seven, article six, chapter six of this code.
An attested copy of the petition and the charges contained therein shall be served upon the defendants at least twenty days prior to the date of hearing. No other pleading or notice of the proceedings shall be necessary.
If any person in his or her official capacity participates in an illegal expenditure and in so doing acts in accordance with and upon the advice of his or her statutory attorney or duly appointed attorney, which advice was asked for, received and given in good faith, such person so acting shall not be deemed guilty of gross negligence or of willfully violating any of the provisions of this article but may be found to have so acted in a negligent manner and may be proceeded against for the recovery of the amount illegally or improperly expended, both personally or upon his or her official bond.
Structure West Virginia Code
§11-8-4. Definition of Taxing Units
§11-8-5. Classification of Property for Levy Purposes
§11-8-6. Aggregate of Taxes on Different Classifications; Taxing Units Authorized to Lay Levies
§11-8-6a. Levies on Each Classification by Board of Public Works
§11-8-6b. Maximum Levies on Each Classification by County Courts; Order of Levies
§11-8-6d. Maximum Levies on Each Classification by Municipalities; Order of Levy
§11-8-6e. Effect on Regular Levy Rate When Appraisal Results in Tax Increase; Public Hearings
§11-8-7. Increase of Current Expense Levies When Debt Levies Not Required
§11-8-8. Levies by Board of Public Works; Certification
§11-8-9. Meetings of Local Levying Bodies
§11-8-10. Levy Estimate by County Court; Certification to Tax Commissioner and Publication
§11-8-12. Levy Estimate by Board of Education; Certification and Publication
§11-8-14. Levy Estimate by Municipality; Certification to Tax Commissioner and Publication
§11-8-14b. Levy of Additional Tax
§11-8-15. Certification of Municipal Levies
§11-8-25. Funds Expended Only for Purposes for Which Raised
§11-8-25a. Right of County Court to Expend Surplus Funds for Equalization and Revaluation
§11-8-26. Unlawful Expenditures by Local Fiscal Body
§11-8-26a. Revision of Levy Estimate
§11-8-27. When Indebtedness, Contracts or Drafts Are Void
§11-8-28. Suit to Recover Unlawful Expenditure or to Cancel Obligation
§11-8-29. Personal Liability of Official Participating in Unlawful Expenditure
§11-8-30. Recovery of Unlawful Expenditure From Participating Official by Action; Costs
§11-8-31. Criminal Liability of Official Violating Provisions of Article; Proceeding for Removal
§11-8-31a. Recovery of Attorneys' Fees Authorized
§11-8-33. Exceptions as to Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1961, and as to City of Huntington