Title: Shapiro v. Essex Cty. Freeholder Bd.
Citation: 453 A.2d 158, 91 N.J. 430
Docket Number: N/A
State: new-jersey
Issuer: new-jersey Supreme Court
Date: December 1, 1982

91 N.J. 430 (1982) 453 A.2d 158 PETER SHAPIRO, ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE, PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT, v. ESSEX COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. The Supreme Court of New Jersey. Argued October 25, 1982. Decided December 1, 1982. Thomas M. McCormack, Counsel, argued the cause for the appellant. *431 David H. Ben-Asher, Essex County Counsel, argued the cause for respondent (David H. Ben-Asher, attorney; Marc C. Gettis, Assistant County Counsel, on the brief). Charles M. Schimenti, Counsel, argued the cause for amicus curiae Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Barry D. Szaferman, Deputy County Counsel, submitted letter in lieu of brief on behalf of amicus curiae Mercer County Executive (Paul T. Koenig, County Counsel, attorney). PER CURIAM. The Essex County Executive brought this action challenging the Comprehensive Salary Ordinance passed by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders seeking a declaration of his authority to set salaries of county employees under the Optional County Charter Law, N.J.S.A. 40:41A-1 to -147. The trial court entered summary judgment for the County Executive. 177 N.J. Super. 87 (Law Div. 1980). That judgment was affirmed in an opinion by Judge Matthews for the Appellate Division. 183 N.J. Super. 24 (1982). We affirm essentially for the reasons stated in his opinion. Resolution of the issue depends upon an interpretation of the general statutes governing counties and the specific provisions governing a county operating under the Optional County Charter Law, in particular one where the county has selected the county executive plan. N.J.S.A. 40:41A-31. The general statute, N.J.S.A. 40A:9-10, provides: This statute authorized the governing body of the county or municipality to fix the salaries and wages of officers and employees. Under the county executive plan, the governing body includes "both the board of freeholders and the county executive." N.J.S.A. 40:41A-32(b). The county executive then *432 would fall within the class empowered under the act to fix salaries. Moreover, that statutory provision also states: Fixing salaries of county employees in the executive and administrative branches of government is primarily an administrative or executive function that the Optional Charter Law has delegated to the county executive. This conclusion is buttressed by N.J.S.A. 40:41A-86, which provides: Thus, as the Appellate Division concluded, there is no conflict between the general statute and the specific provisions of the Optional County Charter Law governing the county executive plan. We decide today only that the county executive has the authority to set salaries of the county administrative and executive personnel described in the ordinance under the county executive plan of the Optional County Charter Law, with the exception of constitutional and other statutorily designated positions whose salaries are to be set by the board of freeholders. Affirmed. *433 For affirmance Chief Justice WILENTZ, and Justices CLIFFORD, SCHREIBER, HANDLER, POLLOCK and O'HERN 6. Opposed none.