ÿWPCÆ (¸’Òï:Œ"ìˆÑ@1"-ÎÙª—rÜì£Ø«[¿ä·ÑNÃC$#r¥²“øGJòé¹cqà[…¦X:Jh¯_˜Ê‘51¦±V^ò_' o-ÜÕ®pòð o¥<‹ Š6M^[ _z±éVšù°óç‚=¢ëOy0a6V¹jUEaÉT¶¯Ð\žÆ‰£Ð;˜eÃzЩ[>x¸{ïÌf0ù­’¾_mõLr –¶èà_´y9:>ºW£^È@<<네NH<€¾»+Ã|ä ªÕt`#®œæZm£…GÏ­jj³›gp€#vGdu)CÛØØW–­!~ÒïRÁ»ÜUCôp ½ 9­Ÿ{ShЦ;¥Xø³üc"ÁOˆ?ús,³õ#ŽE¸úÀf:ÄM?nM™¦Eô¥Ñý&Ø¿R.ø‡à:¶ÂŤªZ¡Ñbº!ø-$è@WÛmEß7Y™F©±GÎ+j{X|K”Ë6{¥VÊD»cWZʆ)ßq÷ÓòJ¸"b$ï1M~+>ÜÃ×ßOç3Vã¿ë_éa’–fã¡ÑÖq=Ü ·d>/ü¸œ!F­Œåfïq-Žl¹<•t(2ÓøÅö·Èk…¥K"{0;b %\^ b 0ˆnU Nöw D4Nb zqÒë½ m¿ #ÉÖ MŸ Æì ƲÆxÆ> 0DNH¤JŸîE,b»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» 0ëÃÃÃà B®® 0¤Ë D3o D-¢ 0KÏÏ ASÆm 0¤3 0D× A«»8—ÿ.Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular=ƒ.ê:i¢×+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S08\KNOXCLERK4ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 CÝ ƒR¯‡$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô©å ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔCertain€classifications€of€judges€were€not€eligible€to€receive€these€supplements.€€However,€as€theseÐ ° Ðclassifications€are€not€relevant€to€this€appeal,€they€will€not€be€discussed.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó šÝ ƒR¯‡$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô©å ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTenn.€Const.€art.€I,€ðð€8. •Ý ƒR¯‡$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô©å ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔU.S.€Const.€amend.€XIV. "Ý ƒR¯‡$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô©å ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔObviously,€we€are€speaking€hypothetically.€€We€do€not€know€whether€such€judgeships€were€in€fact€created.€Ð ° ÐThe€point€is€that€if€such€judgeships€were€created€and€filled€during€the€indicated€time€frames,€the€new€judges,€unlike€theirÐ tÄ Ðmore€senior€colleagues€sitting€as€class€one€judges,€would€not€have€been€entitled€to€the€benefit€of€the€jurisdictionalÐ 8ˆ Ðsupplements.- ù-(|G2œ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ne»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôøíò»»Ô d(|3?z$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ne»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?z$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ne»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Ne»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑe°ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼Ne»»»ÔÑ8€}XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îD NeÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼Ne»îîD #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓFebruary€12,€2003€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X}X»¼NeÔÌò òÔ#†¼Ne»XX}#ÔIN€RE:€PETITION€OF€JAMES€F.€WATSON,Ð úJ ÐGENERAL€SESSIONS€COURT€JUDGEòòóóÔ‡X}X»¼NeÔó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Ô_ÔMcMinnÔ_Ô€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€20672€€€€€€Ô_ÔJerriÔ_Ô€S.€Bryant,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌññFILED€JULY€31,€Ô_Ô2003ññÔ_ÔÐ Ò"  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2002„02480„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€Ð ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€declaratory€judgment€action.€€Judge€James€F.€Watson€was,€at€all€relevant€times,€the€generalÐ ŒÜ Ðsessions€court€judge€for€Ô_ÔMcMinnÔ_Ô€County.€€Prior€to€2000,€Ô_ÔMcMinnÔ_Ô€County€was€classified€as€a€countyÐ xÈ Ðof€the€second€class€and€Judge€Watson€was€paid€in€accordance€with€the€statutory€compensationÐ d´ Ðscheme€for€such€counties.€€As€a€result€of€the€2000€census,€Ô_ÔMcMinnÔ_Ô€County€became€a€county€of€theÐ P  Ðfirst€class.€€Judge€Watson€filed€a€petition€seeking€a€determination€as€to€the€proper€calculation€of€hisÐ <Œ Ðsalary€as€a€class€one€general€sessions€court€judge.€€The€trial€court€determined€that€Judge€Watson€wasÐ (x Ðentitled€to€continue€receiving€the€jurisdictional€supplements€to€his€salary€that€he€had€been€receivingÐ d Ðas€a€class€two€judge.€€We€reverse.€€Ð P ÐÓ.ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ Ø( ÐReversed;€Case€Remandedó óÐ Ä ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼Ne»àX}¤#ÔÔ‡X}X.¼NeÔCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHouston€M.€Ô_ÔGoddardÔ_Ô,Ð œì ÐÔ_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,óó€and€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.óó,€joined.Ð ˆØ ÐÌMichael€E.€Evans,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Ô_ÔMcMinnÔ_Ô€County,€Tennessee.Ð `!°  ÐÌJames€F.€Watson,€Pro€Se.Ð 8#ˆ" ÐÔ#†¼Ne»XX}ç #ÔÔ‡X}X»¼NeÔÓ¸ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼Ne»XX}ß #ÔÔ‡X}X»¼NeÔÐ %` $ ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼Ne»XX}? #ÔÔ‡X}X»¼NeÔÓ  ÓÓ  ÓI.òòóóÐ è&8"& ÐÌÓÈ Óà  àPrior€to€September€1,€1990,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„204€(repealed€1993)€governed€theÐ À($( Ðclassification€of€Tennessee€counties€for€the€purpose€of€determining€the€compensation€of€generalÐ ¬)ü$) Ðsessions€court€judges.€€That€statute€delineated€eight€classes€of€counties.€€In€pertinent€part,€it€providedÐ ˜*è%* Ðas€follows:Ð „+Ô&+ Ðâ âÐ p,À',ýÔ ÐÔ_Ôà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)(1)€Counties€having€a€population€of€one€hundred€thousandÐ ° Ðâ â(100,000)€or€more,€shall€constitute€counties€of€the€first€class;Ðœì` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Counties€having€a€population€of€fifty€thousand€(50,000)€or€more,Ð tÄ Ðbut€less€than€one€hundred€thousand€(100,000),€shall€constituteÐ `° Ðcounties€of€the€second€class;ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*€Ð $ t ÐÓdÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€The€population€of€the€several€counties€for€the€purposes€of€thisÐ ü L  Ðchapter€shall€be€determined€by€the€federal€census€of€1950,€and€byÐ è 8  Ðeach€succeeding€federal€census.ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌThe€salary€scale€for€judges€in€each€of€the€eight€different€classifications€was€set€forth€in€Tenn.€CodeÐ ¬ü  ÐAnn.€ðð€16„15„205€(repealed€1993).€€Effective€September€1,€1982,€the€annual€base€salary€for€generalÐ ˜è  Ðsessions€court€judges€of€the€first€class€was€$51,000,€and€for€judges€of€the€second€class,€$38,941.€€òòSeeóóÐ „Ô  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205(d)(1)(A)€&€(B).€€This€statute€also€provided€for€salary€supplements€toÐ pÀ Ðgeneral€sessions€court€judges€who€exercised€additional€jurisdiction.€€For€example,€a€judge€withÐ \¬ Ðjuvenile€court€jurisdiction€received€an€annual€supplement€equal€to€10%€of€his€or€her€annual€salary,Ð H˜ Ðand€a€judge€who€exercised€probate€jurisdiction€received€a€supplement€of€5%.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð 4„ Ððð€16„15„205(d)(2)€&€(3).€€Beginning€July€1,€1983,€the€salaries€of€all€general€sessions€court€judgesÐ  p Ðwere€adjusted€annually€to€reflect€the€annual€increase€in€the€cost€of€living.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ  \ Ð16„15„205(d)(4).€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àOn€September€1,€1990,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5001€(Supp.€2002)€became€effective,Ð Ð  Ðreplacing€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„204,€and€providing,€in€pertinent€part,€the€following:Ð ¼  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€For€the€purpose€of€determining€the€compensation€of€a€generalÐ ”ä Ðsessions€judge,€the€counties€of€this€state€are€divided€into€eight€(8)Ð €Ð Ðclasses€as€follows:Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Counties€having€a€population€of€more€than€forty„nine€thousandÐ D!” Ð(49,000)€constitute€counties€of€the€first€class;Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Counties€having€a€population€of€more€than€thirty„eight€thousandÐ $X" Ð(38,000)€but€not€more€than€forty„nine€thousand€(49,000)€constituteÐ ô$D # Ðcounties€of€the€second€class;Ðà%0!$` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð ¸'#& ÐÓPÓÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€The€class€into€which€a€county€falls€shall€be€determined€by€theÐ ° Ð1990€federal€census€and€any€subsequent€federal€census€or€any€specialÐ œì Ðcensus€conducted€by€the€department€of€economic€and€communityÐ ˆØ Ðdevelopment.ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð à*€*€*Ð L œ ÐÓÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(d)(2)€If€a€county€is€in€one€class€as€provided€in€this€section€onÐ $ t ÐSeptember€1,€of€the€year€in€which€a€judge€is€elected€to€office€and€afterÐ  ` Ðsuch€date,€such€county€moves€into€another€class€on€the€basis€of€aÐ ü L  Ðsubsequent€census,€the€salary€of€such€judge€shall€be€determined€by€theÐ è 8  Ðhigher€classification€for€the€remainder€of€the€term€for€which€the€judgeÐ Ô$  Ðwas€elected.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà  àSeptember€1,€1990,€was€also€the€effective€date€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003€(Supp.Ð ˜è  Ð2002),€the€new€statute€addressing€the€calculation€of€salaries€of€general€sessions€court€judges.€€TheÐ „Ô  Ðstatute€sets€a€base€salary€of€$70,000€for€all€general€sessions€court€judges€in€class€one€counties,€andÐ pÀ Ða€base€salary€of€$50,000€for€judges€in€class€two€counties.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(a)(1)Ð \¬ Ð&€(2).€€The€statute€also€provided€that€judges€in€class€two€and€three€counties€exercising€juvenile€courtÐ H˜ Ðjurisdiction€would€be€entitled€to€an€annual€supplement€of€$20,000,€and€a€$10,000€supplement€forÐ 4„ Ðexercising€probate€jurisdiction.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(b)(1)(A)€&€(B).€€However,€theÐ  p Ðannual€supplements€were€capped€at€a€maximum€of€$20,000,€ð ð[r]egardless€of€the€kind€or€amount€ofÐ  \ Ðadditional€jurisdiction€a€Class€2€judge€may€have,.€.€.€.ðð€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(b)(2).€Ð øH ÐAdditionally,€the€statute€provided€that,€beginning€July€1,€1991,€the€judgesðð€salaries€would€be€adjustedÐ ä4 Ðannually€to€reflect€the€increase€in€the€cost€of€living.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(f).€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àWhen€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003€went€into€effect,€judges€in€class€one€counties€whoÐ ¨ø Ðexercised€additional€jurisdiction€were€excluded€from€the€list€of€those€entitled€to€receive€annualÐ ”ä Ðsupplements;€their€salaries€were€capped€at€$70,000,€plus€annual€adjustments€for€the€cost€of€living.€Ð €Ð ÐHowever,€at€the€time€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003€was€enacted,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205Ð l¼ Ðhad€not€yet€been€repealed.€€Accordingly,€class€one€judges€were€still€receiving€their€annualÐ X ¨ Ðsupplements€pursuant€to€ðð€16„15„205.€€òòEffective€July€1,€1993,€ðð€16„15„205€was€repealedóó.€€òòSeeóóÐ D!” ÐChapter€241,€Public€Acts€of€1993.€€Nine€months€later,€the€Tennessee€Attorney€General€issued€anÐ 0"€  Ðopinion€addressing€the€issue€of€juvenile€court€supplements€for€general€sessions€court€judges€in€classÐ #l! Ðone€counties:Ô#†¼ U»XXYõ^ #ÔÔ‡XYõX»¼ UÔÐ $X" ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is€the€opinion€of€this€Office€that,€beginning€July€1,€1993,€the€salaryÐ à%0!$ Ðof€general€sessions€court€judges€has€been€governed€solely€by€[Tenn.Ð Ì&"% ÐCode€Ann.]€ðð€16„15„5003€as€a€result€of€the€express€repeal€of€[Tenn.Ð ¸'#& ÐCode€Ann.]€ðð€16„15„205€by€1993€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€Ch.€241.Ф(ô#'` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àòòIt€is€also€the€opinion€of€this€Office,€however,€that€because€of€ArticleÐ |*Ì%) ÐVI,€ðð€7€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution,€1993€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€Ch.€241Ð h+¸&* Ðmay€not€be€construed€as€having€the€effect,€during€any€judgeððs€termÐ T,¤'+ Ðthat€commenced€prior€to€July€1,€1993,€of€denying€to€such€judge€anyÐ ° Ðsupplemental€salary,€if€the€supplement€was€paid€pursuant€to€aÐ œì Ðstatutory€provision€that€was€in€effect€when€the€judgeððs€term€began.ЈØ` x` x ÐóóÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTherefore,€this€Office€also€renders€its€opinion€that,€prior€to€theÐ `° Ðeffective€date€of€the€express€repeal€of€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.]€ðð€16„15„Ð L œ Ð205,€any€salary€supplement€for€juvenile€court€jurisdiction€that€wasÐ 8 ˆ Ðpaid€Ô#†¼ U»XXYõ©'#ÔÔ‡XYõX»¼ UÔto€a€general€sessions€court€judge€in€a€class€1€county€was€legallyÐ $ t Ðpaid€pursuant€to€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.]€ðð€16„15„205(d)(2),€which€was€inÐ  ` Ðeffect€during€such€time,€and€that€such€supplement€may€not€beÐ ü L  Ðincreased€or€diminished€during€the€continuation€of€a€judgeððs€term€thatÐ è 8  Ðbegan€prior€to€July€1,€1993.ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌOp.€Tenn.€Attððy€Gen.€94„044€(April€4,€1994)€(emphasis€added).€€Over€a€year€and€a€half€later,€theÐ ¬ü  ÐAttorney€General€issued€another€opinion,€stating,€based€upon€the€same€rationale,€that€class€oneÐ ˜è  Ðjudges€also€could€continue€to€receive€supplements€for€exercising€probate€and€divorce€jurisdiction.€Ð „Ô  ÐOp.€Tenn.€Attððy€Gen.€U95„093€(December€22,€1995).Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àOne€year€prior€to€the€1998€elections,€the€General€Assembly€amended€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„Ð H˜ Ð15„5003€by€adding€subsection€(i),€which€provides€as€follows:Ð 4„ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àEffective€September€1,€1998,€the€annual€salary€for€a€general€sessionsÐ  \ Ðcourt€judge€shall€be€increased€over€the€annual€compensation€andÐ øH Ðsupplements€and€annual€adjustments€which€each€judge€actuallyÐ ä4 Ðreceived€as€of€August€31,€1998,€by€the€lesser€of:ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(A)€Ten€thousand€dollars€($10,000);€orШø` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(B)€Twenty€percent€(20%)€of€such€annual€compensation€andÐ €Ð Ðsupplements€and€annual€adjustments€as€of€August€31,€1998.Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌThus,€judges€in€class€one€counties€who€were€reelected€to€office€in€August,€1998,€received€theirÐ D!” Ðannual€salary,€plus€any€annual€jurisdictional€supplements€they€were€ð ðactuallyðð€receiving€on€AugustÐ 0"€  Ð31,€1998.€€In€addition,€those€judges€received€a€$10,000€increase€over€the€amount€they€were€actuallyÐ #l! Ðbeing€paid€on€August€31,€1998.€€Ô#†¼ U»XXYõ-#ÔÔ€XYõX»¼ UÔÐ $X" ÐÌÓ  ÓII.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÓ³5Óà  àIn€August,€1986,€Judge€Watson€was€elected€to€fill€the€unexpired€term€of€the€previous€GeneralÐ ¸'#& ÐSessions€Court€judge€for€McMinn€County.€€In€addition,€Judge€Watson€served€as€the€judge€of€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐMcMinn€County€juvenile€and€probate€courts.€€At€the€time€of€his€election,€McMinn€County€wasÐ )à$( Ðclassified€as€a€county€of€the€second€class,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„204.€€As€a€generalÐ |*Ì%) Ðâ âsessions€court€judge€in€a€class€two€county€who€was€exercising€both€juvenile€and€probate€jurisdiction,Ð h+¸&* ÐJudge€Watson€received€both€the€10%€and€the€5%€annual€supplements,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ° Ððð€16„15„205(d)(2)€&€(3).€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àJudge€Watson€was€reelected€in€August,€1990.€€When€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5001€becameÐ tÄ Ðeffective€on€September€1,€1990,€McMinn€County€was€still€classified€as€a€class€two€county,€as€it€hadÐ `° Ða€population€of€between€38,000€and€49,000€according€to€the€1990€federal€census.€€Pursuant€to€Tenn.Ð L œ ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003,€Judge€Watson€began€receiving€a€base€salary€of€$50,000,€plus€an€additionalÐ 8 ˆ Ð$20,000€in€supplements,€based€upon€his€exercise€of€juvenile€and€probate€jurisdiction,€for€a€total€ofÐ $ t Ð$70,000,€not€including€the€annual€cost€of€living€adjustments€to€which€he€was€entitled.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àIn€August,€1998,€Judge€Watson€was€reelected€once€again,€and€he€continued€to€receive€hisÐ è 8  Ðsalary€and€supplements€as€a€class€two€judge.€€When€the€2000€federal€census€results€were€madeÐ Ô$  Ðpublic,€McMinn€County€was€found€to€have€a€population€of€over€49,000,€which€moved€the€countyÐ À  Ðinto€a€class€one€designation.€€As€such,€Judge€Watson€found€himself€as€a€general€sessions€court€judgeÐ ¬ü  Ðin€a€class€one€county€for€the€remainder€of€the€1998„2006€term.€€Pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€16„Ð ˜è  Ð15„5001€and€16„15„5003,€Judge€Watson€was€then€entitled€to€receive€a€base€salary€of€$70,000;Ð „Ô  Ðhowever,€there€was€not,€at€that€time,€a€statute€in€effect€expressly€providing€for€the€payment€ofÐ pÀ Ðjurisdictional€supplements€to€class€one€judges.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àOn€June€29,€2001,€the€Attorney€General€issued€an€opinion€specifically€addressing€JudgeÐ 4„ ÐWatsonððs€situation,€finding€that€he€was€not€entitled€to€continue€receiving€the€jurisdictionalÐ  p Ðsupplements€that€he€had€received€as€a€judge€of€a€class€two€county€because€ð ð[n]o€statute€currently€inÐ  \ Ðeffect€authorizes€the€payment€of€jurisdictional€supplements€to€a€judge€in€a€county€that€is€newlyÐ øH Ðclassified€as€a€first€class€county.ðð€€Op.€Tenn.€Attððy€Gen.€01„107€(June€29,€2001).€€In€addition,€theÐ ä4 ÐAttorney€General€opined€that€there€is€no€evidence€of€any€legislative€intent€to€allow€such€judges€toÐ Ð  Ðcontinue€receiving€supplements,€and€that€the€differences€in€treatment€of€class€one€judges€ð ðareÐ ¼  Ðrationally€related€to€the€legitimate€state€interest€of€retaining€incumbent€judges.ðð€€ò òòòId.óóó óÐ ¨ø ÐÌà  àTwo€and€a€half€months€later,€Judge€Watson€filed€this€petition€for€declaratory€judgment,Ð €Ð Ðseeking€a€determination€of€the€proper€calculation€of€his€salary€as€a€new€class€one€judge.€€In€hisÐ l¼ Ðpetition,€Judge€Watson€avers€that€his€salary€for€the€remainder€of€the€1998„2006€term€should€beÐ X ¨ Ðcalculated€by€ð ðconsider[ing]€all€laws€that€were€in€effect€from€September€1,€1990€forward€which€haveÐ D!” Ðactually€affected€and€still€affect€the€salaries€of€general€sessions€court€judges€previously€in€class€[two]Ð 0"€  Ðcounties€prior€to€the€2000€census.ðð€€Judge€Watson€argues€that€ð ðit€is€the€clear€legislative€intent€thatÐ #l! Ðall€general€sessions€court€judges€similarly€situated€by€county€class€and€jurisdiction€be€paid€the€sameÐ $X" Ðsalariesðð€and€that,€more€specifically,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5001(d)(2)€ð ðreflects€a€clear€intent€byÐ ô$D # Ðthe€legislatureðð€to€pay€judges€who€move€into€a€higher€county€classification€the€same€salary€as€theirÐ à%0!$ Ðcolleagues.€€In€addition,€Judge€Watson€alleges€that€the€Equal€Protection€clauses€of€both€theÐ Ì&"% ÐTennessee׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€United€States׃T×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€constitutions€ð ðrequire[]€that€all€persons€similarly€situated€be€treatedÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€same.ðð€€à ` àÐ ¤(ô#' Їà  àMcMinn€County€answered€Judge€Watsonððs€petition,€denying€the€core€of€his€claim€for€relief.€Ð ° ÐFollowing€a€hearing,€the€trial€court€entered€its€order€on€August€21,€2002,€finding€as€follows:Ð œì ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€General€Assembly€provided€under€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.]€ðð€16„15„Ð tÄ Ð5001(d),€that€when€a€county€is€in€one€class€on€the€date€on€which€aÐ `° Ðjudge€is€elected€to€office€and€after€that€date€that€county€moves€toÐ L œ Ðanother€class€on€the€basis€of€a€subsequent€census,€the€òòsalaryóó€of€suchÐ 8 ˆ Ðjudge€shall€be€determined€by€the€higher€classification€for€theÐ $ t Ðremainder€of€the€term€for€which€the€judge€is€elected.€€The€AttorneyÐ  ` ÐGeneral€of€the€State€of€Tennessee€has€provided€the€opinion€thatÐ ü L  Ð[Tenn.€Code€Ann.]€ðð€16„15„5003(i)€allows€some€Class€1€judges,€whoÐ è 8  Ðwere€still€receiving€jurisdictional€supplements€under€[Tenn.€CodeÐ Ô$  ÐAnn.]€ðð€16„15„205€and€Attorney€General€Opinion€94„44,€to€receiveÐ À  Ða€$10,000€increase€over€their€actual€August€31,€1998€salary.€€ThisÐ ¬ü  Ðmeant€that€the€salary€for€the€judges€in€the€1998€term€would€continueÐ ˜è  Ðto€reflect€those€jurisdictional€supplements.€€[Tenn.€Code€Ann.]€ðð€16„Ð „Ô  Ð15„5003(i)€allows€supplements€to€continue.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThere€is€no€rational€basis€to€differentiate€between€Class€1€judges€whoÐ H˜ Ðwere€receiving€supplements€prior€to€August€31,€1998,€and€continueÐ 4„ Ðthose€in€the€1998€term€and€those€who€are€moved€to€Class€1€by€virtueÐ  p Ðof€the€2000€census.€€Those€moved€to€Class€1€by€the€census€should€beÐ  \ Ðequally€entitled€to€continue€their€supplements€as€those€that€wereÐ øH Ðlikewise€reelected€to€another€term€in€1998€and€were€receivingÐ ä4 Ðsupplements€prior€to€August€31,€1998.ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌ(Emphasis€in€original).€€From€this€order,€McMinn€County€appeals.Ð ¨ø ÐÌÓ  ÓIII.Ð €Ð ÐÌÓ«QÓà  àIn€this€non„jury€case,€our€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€proceedings€below;€butÐ X ¨ Ðthe€record€comes€to€us€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€as€to€the€trial€courtððs€factual€determinationsÐ D!” Ðthat€we€must€honor€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€otherwise.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€ò òòòWrightÐ 0"€  Ðv.€City€of€Knoxvilleó óóó,€898€S.W.2d€177,€181€(Tenn.€1995);€ò òòòUnion€Carbide€Corp.€v.€Huddlestonó óóó,€854Ð #l! ÐS.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993).€€Our€review€of€questions€of€law€is€òòde€novo€óówith€no€such€presumptionÐ $X" Ðof€correctness€attaching€to€the€trial€courtððs€conclusions€of€law.€€ò òòòCampbell€v.€Florida€Steel€Corp.ó óóó,€919Ð ô$D # ÐS.W.2d€26,€35€(Tenn.€1996);€ò òòòPresley€v.€Bennettó óóó,€860€S.W.2d€857,€859€(Tenn.€1993).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÓ  ÓIV.Ð ¸'#& ÐÓXUÓÌà  àMcMinn€County€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€determining€that€Judge€Watson€is€entitledÐ )à$( Ðto€continue€receiving€his€jurisdictional€supplements,€as€such€supplements€are€not€authorized€byÐ |*Ì%) Ðstatute.€€We€agree.Ð h+¸&* ÐÐ T,¤'+ Ðà  àAs€previously€discussed,€the€Attorney€General€addressed€this€very€issue€when€he€replied€toÐ ° Ðan€inquiry€specifically€pertaining€to€Judge€Watson€in€Op.€Tenn.€Attððy€Gen.€01„107€(June€29,€2001).€Ð œì ÐBecause€we€agree€with€the€Attorney€Generalððs€determination€on€this€issue€and€decide€this€case€onÐ ˆØ Ðthe€same€bases,€we€quote€liberally€from€that€opinion:Ð tÄ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àUnder€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205,€general€sessions€judges€wereÐ L œ Ðentitled€to€salary€supplements€for€exercising€juvenile€and€probateÐ 8 ˆ Ðcourt€jurisdiction.€€The€General€Assembly€expressly€repealed€thatÐ $ t Ðstatute€in€1993.€€But€our€Office€concluded€that€Class€1€judges€whoÐ  ` Ðtook€office€before€the€repeal€were€entitled€to€continue€receiving€theseÐ ü L  Ðsupplements€until€the€end€of€their€current€term€ð!ð€in€most€cases,€untilÐ è 8  ÐAugust€31,€1998.€€In€1997,€the€General€Assembly€amended€Tenn.Ð Ô$  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003€to€add€subsection€(i)€regarding€the€salariesÐ À  Ðof€general€sessions€judges€for€the€term€beginning€September€1,€1998.€Ð ¬ü  ÐThat€subsection€provides:Иè ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàEffective€September€1,€1998,€the€annual€salary€for€aÐ pÀ Ðgeneral€sessions€court€judge€shall€be€increased€overÐ \¬ Ðthe€annual€compensation€and€supplements€and€annualÐ H˜ Ðadjustments€which€each€judge€òòactually€received€as€ofÐ 4„ ÐAugust€31,€1998óó,€by€the€lesser€of:Ð p¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà8¸ ¸ à(A)€Ten€thousand€dollars€($10,000);€orÐ \ÈÈ Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà8¸ ¸ à(B)€Twenty€percent€(20%)€of€suchÐ øH Ðannual€compensation€and€supplementsÐ ä4 Ðand€annual€adjustments€as€of€AugustÐ Ð  Ð31,€1998.м ÈÈ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(Emphasis€added).€€Thus€by€its€terms,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„Ð ”ä Ð5003(i)€provides€that€each€judge€reelected€to€office€was€entitled€toÐ €Ð Ðreceive€an€increase€over€the€salary€and€supplement€he€or€she€òòactuallyÐ l¼ Ðreceivedóó€on€August€31,€1998.€€Presumably,€at€least€some€judges€inÐ X ¨ Ðclass€one€counties€were€still€receiving€additional€jurisdictionalÐ D!” Ðsupplements€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205€and€Opinion€94„44Ð 0"€  Ðas€of€August€31,€1998.€€Those€judges€therefore€received€a€$10,000Ð #l! Ðincrease€over€their€òòactualóó€August€31,€1998,€salary.€€If€a€class€oneÐ $X" Ðjudge€was€actually€receiving€jurisdictional€supplements€on€August€31,Ð ô$D # Ð1998,€then€that€judgeððs€salary€for€the€1998€term€will€continue€toÐ à%0!$ Ðreflect€those€jurisdictional€supplements.ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€request€asks€whether,€because€some€judges€in€counties€of€the€firstÐ ¤(ô#' Ðclass€continue€to€receive€a€salary€that€reflects€jurisdictionalÐ )à$( Ðsupplements,€the€salaries€of€judges€whose€counties€move€into€classÐ |*Ì%) Ðone€as€a€result€of€the€2000€census€should€also€reflect€thoseÐ h+¸&* Ðsupplements.ÐT,¤'+` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àWe€have€reviewed€the€legislative€history€for€the€various€acts€nowÐ ° Ðcodified€at€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003.€€We€do€not€think€theÐ œì ÐGeneral€Assembly€intended€the€statute€to€be€interpreted€to€entitleÐ ˆØ Ðindividuals€who€were€not€actually€receiving€salary€supplements€underÐ tÄ Ðthe€repealed€statute€to€receive€them€when€their€salary€is€recalculated.€Ð `° ÐThe€effect€of€this€interpretation€would€be€to€incorporate€jurisdictionalÐ L œ Ðsupplements€no€longer€directly€authorized€by€statute€permanently€intoÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€base€salary€of€the€class€one€judge.€€The€statutory€language€doesÐ $ t Ðnot€support€this€interpretation.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(i)Ð  ` Ðnowhere€purports€to€increase€the€base€salary€payable€to€a€judge€in€aÐ ü L  Ðclass€one€county.€€Further,€the€statute€refers€to€an€increase€over€theÐ è 8  Ðsalary€the€judge€was€òòactually€receivingóó€as€of€August€31,€1998.€€It€doesÐ Ô$  Ðnot€refer€to€an€increase€over€the€hypothetical€maximum€salary€toÐ À  Ðwhich€a€general€sessions€judge€in€a€class€one€county€would€have€beenÐ ¬ü  Ðentitled€as€of€that€date.€€In€any€case,€as€of€that€date€no€statute€then€inÐ ˜è  Ðeffect€expressly€authorized€these€supplements.€€Finally,€Tenn.€CodeÐ „Ô  ÐAnn.€ðð€16„15„5003(i)(4)(A),€enacted€in€1997,€expressly€provides:ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(4)(A)€The€compensation,€supplement€and€annualÐ H˜ Ðadjustment€provisions€of€this€section€are€to€beÐ 4„ Ðconstrued€as€minimum€levels.€€The€compensationÐ  p Ðschedule€established€by€òòthisóó€òòpartóó€is€a€comprehensiveÐ  \ Ðplan,€and€òòno€salary€supplement€in€excess€of€theÐ øH Ðsupplements€provided€by€this€part€shall€be€availableÐ ä4 Ðto€a€general€sessions€judge€unless€expressly€providedÐ Ð  Ðand€funded€by€a€private€act.м ¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àóó(Emphasis€added).€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205€did€not€appear€inÐ ”ä ÐPart€50€of€the€statute,€but€in€Part€2.€€Further,€that€statute€was€repealedÐ €Ð Ðin€1993.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð16„15„5003(i)(4)(A)€therefore€supportsÐ l¼ Ðthe€argument€that€the€General€Assembly€did€not€intend€any€judgeÐ X ¨ Ðbesides€those€in€office€who€were€actually€receiving€supplements€onÐ D!” ÐAugust€31,€1998,€to€receive€a€salary€reflecting€supplements€under€thatÐ 0"€  Ðstatute.€€For€these€reasons,€we€think€that€supplements€formerlyÐ #l! Ðauthorized€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205€should€only€beÐ $X" Ðreflected€in€the€salary€of€general€sessions€judges€in€counties€of€theÐ ô$D # Ðfirst€class€who€were€òòactually€receivingóó€those€supplements€as€ofÐ à%0!$ ÐAugust€31,€1998.ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌ(Citation€omitted)€(emphasis€in€original).€€We€believe€the€Attorney€Generalððs€interpretation€of€€Tenn.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003€is€the€correct€one.€€Judge€Watson€is€essentially€asking€to€be€treatedÐ )à$( Ðretroactively€as€a€class€one€judge,€which€is€neither€proper€nor€contemplated€under€the€presentÐ |*Ì%) Ðâ âstatutory€scheme.€€As€Judge€Watson€was€not€òòactually€receiving€óóthe€salary€and€supplements€of€a€classÐ h+¸&* Ðone€judge€on€August€31,€1998,€he€was€not€entitled€to€begin€receiving€those€supplements€when€heÐ ° Ðbecame€a€class€one€judge€in€2000.€€Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àJudge€Watson€asserts€that€the€legislature€clearly€intended€that€general€sessions€court€judgesÐ tÄ Ðin€each€county€classification€who€exercise€equal€jurisdiction€are€to€be€paid€equally,€and€that€to€payÐ `° Ðsome€judges€in€class€one€counties€more€than€others€would€violate€that€legislative€intent.€€WeÐ L œ Ðdisagree.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àIn€addressing€this€issue€of€legislative€intent,€the€Attorney€General€found€as€follows:Ð  ` ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[B]y€referring€to€the€salary€each€judge€òòactually€receivedóó€on€AugustÐ è 8  Ð31,€1998,€as€the€base€for€the€salary€during€that€judgeððs€next€term,€theÐ Ô$  ÐGeneral€Assembly€in€effect€preserved€any€discrepancies€of€payÐ À  Ðexisting€among€counties€of€the€same€class€as€of€that€date.€€Thus,€if€aÐ ¬ü  Ðclass€one€judge€was€actually€receiving€supplements€as€of€that€date,Ð ˜è  Ðand€he€or€she€is€elected€to€a€subsequent€term,€that€judge€will€continueÐ „Ô  Ðto€receive€a€salary€that€reflects€the€supplements.€€If€a€class€one€judgeÐ pÀ Ðwas€not€receiving€such€supplements€as€of€that€date,€and€he€or€she€isÐ \¬ Ðelected€to€a€subsequent€term,€that€judge€will€receive€a€salary€that€doesÐ H˜ Ðnot€reflect€the€supplements.€€For€this€reason,€excluding€jurisdictionalÐ 4„ Ðsupplements€from€the€salary€for€judges€in€counties€that€have€moved€Ð  p Ðinto€counties€of€the€first€class€as€a€result€of€the€2000€census€does€notÐ  \ Ðcontradict€the€General€Assemblyððs€legislative€intent.ÐøH` x` x ÐÌOp.€Tenn.€Attððy€Gen.€01„107€(June€29,€2001).Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àJudge€Watson€contends€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(i)(2)€contemplates€that€judgesÐ ¨ø Ðin€the€same€county€exercising€the€same€jurisdiction€will€be€compensated€equally,€and€that€it€isÐ ”ä Ðð ðobviously€intended€to€confer€on€newly€elected€or€appointed€judges€the€full€benefits€of€all€past€salaryÐ €Ð Ðcalculations€enjoyed€by€the€more€senior€judges€in€each€county.ðð€€€However,€as€demonstrated€by€theÐ l¼ ÐAttorney€Generalððs€opinion,€such€an€interpretation€is€erroneous.€€General€sessions€court€judges€whoÐ X ¨ Ðtook€office€in€class€one€counties€for€the€first€time€on€September€1,€1998,€and€who€began€exercisingÐ D!” Ðjuvenile,€probate€or€other€jurisdiction,€would€not€be€entitled€to€receive€the€jurisdictional€supplementsÐ 0"€  Ðbecause€they€were€not€actually€receiving€those€supplements€on€August€31,€1998.€€By€the€same€token,Ð #l! Ðjudges€in€class€one€counties€who€were€elected€to€fill€new€positions€created€by€the€legislature׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€afterÐ $X" ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205€was€repealed€but€prior€to€August€31,€1998,€and€who€were€exercisingÐ ô$D # Ðadditional€jurisdiction,€would€not€be€entitled€to€receive€jurisdictional€supplements€for€the€sameÐ à%0!$ Ðreason.€€Clearly,€it€is€possible,€under€the€statutory€scheme,€that€some€class€one€judges€are€receivingÐ Ì&"% Ðmore€compensation€than€are€some€of€their€fellow€judges€in€counties€of€the€first€class.€€We€agree€withÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€Attorney€General€that€the€legislature€did€not€intend€to€equally€compensate€all€class€one€judgesÐ ° Ðexercising€the€same€jurisdiction.€€Rather,€the€legislature€carved€out€a€slim€exception€for€those€judgesÐ œì Ðwho€had€been€receiving€the€jurisdictional€supplements€prior€to€July€1,€1993.€€Judges,€such€as€JudgeÐ ˆØ ÐWatson,€who€become€class€one€judges€after€that€date€are€not€entitled€to€receive€the€benefit€of€theÐ tÄ Ðjurisdictional€supplements.Ð `° ÐÌà  àJudge€Watson€also€argues€that€there€is€no€rational€basis€for€treating€some€class€one€judgesÐ 8 ˆ Ðdifferently€from€others€of€the€same€rank,€and€that€constitutional€principles,€namely€Article€I,€SectionÐ $ t Ð8€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€and€the€Equal€Protection€Clause€of€the€Fourteenth€Amendment€ofÐ  ` Ðthe€United€States€Constitution,€should€be€considered.€€The€Attorney€General€addressed€this€argumentÐ ü L  Ðas€follows:Ð è 8  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€right€of€equal€protection€under€the€law€guarantees€that€all€personsÐ À  Ðsimilarly€situated€will€be€treated€the€same.€€ò òòòHartford€Steam€BoilerÐ ¬ü  ÐInspection€[&€Ins.€Co.]€v.€Harrisonó óóó,€301€U.S.€459,€57€S.€Ct.€[838]Ð ˜è  Ð(1937).€€But€equal€protection€of€the€law€does€not€require€equality€ofÐ „Ô  Ðtreatment€where€there€is€a€reasonable€and€material€difference€betweenÐ pÀ Ðthe€classes€of€persons€in€question.€€ò òòòRinaldi€v.€Yeagaró óóó,€384€U.S.€305,Ð \¬ Ð86€S.€Ct.€1497€[(1966)];€ò òòòGraham€v.€West€Virginiaó óóó,€224€U.S.€616,€32Ð H˜ ÐS.€Ct.€58[3]€(19[12]).€€A€statutory€scheme€that€involves€no€suspectÐ 4„ Ðclassification€and€does€not€infringe€on€a€fundamental€right€is€subjectÐ  p Ðto€review€under€the€rational€basis€test.€€Under€that€test,€where€a€groupÐ  \ Ðpossesses€distinguishing€characteristics€relevant€to€the€interests€theÐ øH ÐState€has€the€authority€to€implement,€a€stateððs€decision€to€act€on€theÐ ä4 Ðbasis€of€those€differences€does€not€give€rise€to€a€constitutionalÐ Ð  Ðviolation.€€ò òòò[Bd.]€of€[Trs.]€of€[Univ.]€of€Alabama€v.€Garrettó óóó,€[531]Ð ¼  ÐU.S.€[356],€121€S.€Ct.€955€(2001).€€Such€a€classification€cannot€runÐ ¨ø Ðafoul€of€the€Equal€Protection€Clause€if€there€is€a€rational€relationshipÐ ”ä Ðbetween€the€disparity€of€treatment€and€some€legitimate€governmentalÐ €Ð Ðpurpose.€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€€The€State€need€not€articulate€its€reasoning€at€theÐ l¼ Ðmoment€a€particular€decision€is€made;€rather,€the€burden€is€upon€theÐ X ¨ Ðchallenging€party€to€negate€any€reasonably€conceivable€state€of€factsÐ D!” Ðthat€could€provide€a€rational€basis€for€the€classification.€€ò òòòId.Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àó óóóIn€the€present€case,€the€statutory€scheme€ensures€that€an€incumbentÐ $T" Ðjudge€who€has€been€receiving€salary€supplements€under€the€oldÐ ð$@ # Ðstatute€will€not€experience€a€pay€cut€when€his€or€her€1990€termÐ Ü%,!$ Ðexpires€and€he€or€she€begins€a€new€term.€€We€think€this€result€isÐ È&"% Ðrationally€related€to€the€legislative€interest€of€encouragingÐ ´'#& Ðexperienced€judges€to€remain€in€office.€€By€contrast,€the€maximumÐ  (ð#' Ðsalary€ð!ð€excluding€private€act€supplements€ð!ð€a€judge€can€receive€in€aÐ Œ)Ü$( Ðcounty€of€the€second€class€is€$70,000,€plus€cost€of€living€increasesÐ x*È%) Ðand€the€$10,000€maximum€increase.€€The€maximum€salary€ð!ðÐ d+´&* Ðexcluding€private€act€supplements€ð!ð€a€judge€of€the€first€class€can€nowÐ P, '+ Ðreceive€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003,€as€interpreted€in€thisÐ ° Ðopinion,€is€the€$70,000€base,€plus€cost€of€living€increases€and€theÐ œì Ð$10,000€maximum€increase.€€It€therefore€appears€that€a€judge€in€aÐ ˆØ Ðcounty€of€the€second€class€ð!ð€regardless€of€the€jurisdiction€he€or€sheÐ tÄ Ðwas€exercising€ð!ð€will€not€experience€a€pay€cut€as€a€result€of€theÐ `° Ðchange€in€county€classification€if€the€new€salary€does€not€reflect€theÐ L œ Ðjurisdictional€supplements€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„205.€€ForÐ 8 ˆ Ðthis€reason,€we€think€there€is€a€rational€basis€for€the€different€methodsÐ $ t Ðof€calculation.€€òòSee,€e.g.,€ò òGulbrandson€v.€Careyó óóó,€272€Mont.€494,€901Ð  ` ÐP.2d€573€(1995),€òòrehearing€deniedóó€(1995)€(a€statute€providingÐ ü L  Ðincreased€retirement€benefits€to€judges€who€retired€after€its€effectiveÐ è 8  Ðdate€was€rationally€related€to€the€legislative€purpose€of€providing€anÐ Ô$  Ðincentive€for€judges€then€serving€to€remain€on€the€bench).€€For€thisÐ À  Ðreason,€we€think€a€court€would€conclude€that€the€statutes€forÐ ¬ü  Ðdetermining€the€salary€of€judges€in€counties€of€the€first€class€complyÐ ˜è  Ðwith€the€Equal€Protection€Clause€of€the€United€States€Constitution.Ð„Ô ` x` x ÐÌOp.€Tenn.€Attððy€Gen.€01„107€(June€29,€2001).Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àWe€agree€with€the€Attorney€General€and€conclude€that€the€statutes€in€question€do€not€runÐ 4„ Ðafoul€of€the€Equal€Protection€Clause€or€Article€I,€Section€8€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution.€€There€isÐ  p Ða€rational€basis€for€treating€those€class€one€judges€who€were€receiving€the€jurisdictional€supplementsÐ  \ Ðprior€to€July€1,€1993,€differently:€the€legislature€wanted€to€encourage€those€experienced,€incumbentÐ øH Ðjudges€to€run€for€reelection,€and€by€allowing€those€judges€to€retain€the€benefit€of€their€supplements,Ð ä4 Ðthe€legislature€provided€them€with€an€incentive€to€remain€in€office.€€We€believe€this€reasoning€isÐ Ð  Ðsufficient€to€justify€placing€those€judges€in€a€special€classification.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€determining€that€Judge€Watson€was€entitledÐ ”ä Ðto€continue€receiving€his€jurisdictional€supplements.€€He€is€entitled€to€the€base€salary€of€$70,000,€theÐ €Ð Ð$10,000€maximum€increase€provided€for€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(i)(1)(A),€and€the€benefitÐ l¼ Ðof€cost€of€living€increases€provided€for€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„15„5003(f).Ð X ¨ ÐÌÓ  ÓV.Ð 0"€  ÐÌÓz›Óà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€reversed.€€This€case€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€suchÐ $X" Ðfurther€proceedings,€if€any,€as€may€be€required,€and€for€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€allÐ ô$D # Ðpursuant€to€applicable€law.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellee,€Judge€James€F.€Watson.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_______________________________Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCHARLES€D.€SUSANO,€JR.,€JUDGE