Opinion ID: 1865168
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Naming of System and Counties

Text: The propriety of naming the system and the counties as defendants depends not only on whether both have an interest in the subject matter of this case, but whether each also has an interest of such a nature that a final decree cannot be entered without affecting its rights or leaving the controversy in such condition that its final determination may be wholly inconsistent with equity and good conscience as related to some legal right. Professional Firefighters of Omaha v. City of Omaha, 243 Neb. 166, 498 N.W.2d 325 (1993). See, also, Shepoka, supra . Under the provisions of the retirement act, the system, as noted in part VI(1)(a), transacts all business and holds all cash and other property. Any benefits to which county employees would be entitled pursuant to increased contributions would come out of the fund. Moreover, the retirement act provides that the system may be sued. § 23-2314. Therefore, any judicially determined right to increased contributions would be binding upon the system. See Crain v. Mo. State Employees' Retirement System, 613 S.W.2d 912 (Mo.App.1981). As Hoiengs challenges the amount of contributions being made by the counties into the employee retirement accounts, the counties are also interested parties. The obvious result, should Hoiengs be successful in this action, is that county employees would receive additional monies through county contributions. Therefore, the counties' interest is apparent because they pay the contributions from their own funds, and the result of this case will determine the amount of those contributions. See § 23-2307. It therefore was not inappropriate for Hoiengs to name the counties and the system as parties defendant.