Opinion ID: 1865168
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Failure to Name Retirement Board

Text: While not raised by the parties, first there is the matter of Hoiengs' failure to name the retirement board as a party defendant. It is clear that the declaratory judgment statutes are applicable only where all interested persons are made parties to the proceedings. Concerned Citizens v. Department of Environ. Contr., 244 Neb. 152, 505 N.W.2d 654 (1993); Krohn v. Gardner, 238 Neb. 460, 471 N.W.2d 391 (1991); Koenig v. Southeast Community College, 231 Neb. 923, 438 N.W.2d 791 (1989); Omaha Pub. Power Dist. v. Nuclear Elec. Ins. Ltd., 229 Neb. 740, 428 N.W.2d 895 (1988); § 25-21,159. Therefore, joinder of all necessary parties defendant is required. Haynes v. Anderson, 163 Neb. 50, 77 N.W.2d 674 (1956). An indispensable or necessary party to a suit is one who has an interest in the controversy to an extent that such party's absence from the proceedings prevents a court from making a final determination concerning the controversy without affecting such party's interest. See, Concerned Citizens, supra ; Shepoka v. Knopik, 197 Neb. 651, 250 N.W.2d 619 (1977); City of Omaha v. Danner, 186 Neb. 701, 185 N.W.2d 869 (1971). In Redick v. Peony Park, 151 Neb. 442, 37 N.W.2d 801 (1949), we held that the presence of necessary parties is a jurisdictional matter and cannot be waived by the parties. It is the duty of the plaintiff to join all persons who have or claim any interest which would be affected by the judgment. To ensure that joinder, the declaratory judgment statutes provide that no declaration shall prejudice the rights of persons not parties to the proceedings and likewise provide that the court may refuse to render a declaratory judgment when to do so would not terminate the uncertainty or controversy giving rise to the proceeding. §§ 25-21,154 and 25-21,159. The retirement board is responsible for administering the system, § 23-2305, and, among other things, for providing for an equitable allocation of expenses among the various entities it administers. Neb.Rev. Stat. § 84-1503 (Supp.1991). However, while the retirement board is responsible for administering the system's funds, its duties do not require it to establish a county's contributions or to enforce the amount thereof; those matters are set by statute. See § 23-2310. Consequently, the retirement board is not an indispensable party. However, inasmuch as it is not a party, nothing decided in this suit will bind it. See Fowler v. Brown, 51 Neb. 414, 71 N.W. 54 (1897) (personal judgment against one not served with process and not appearing in action is void). See, also, Weiner v. State, 179 Neb. 297, 137 N.W.2d 852 (1965).