Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Returns control of salaries of county constitutional officers to boards of chosen freeholders.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the salaries of county constitutional officers and amending various sections of statutory law.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.2A:158-10 is amended to read as follows:
2A:158-10. County prosecutors shall receive annual salaries to be fixed by the governing body of the county [at $153,000 beginning on January 1, 2008 and $165,000 beginning on January 1, 2009 and thereafter.
There shall be appropriated annually to the Department of Community Affairs for payment to each county for additional salary costs resulting from the increase in the salary of county prosecutors an amount equal to the amount by which the annual salary paid to the county prosecutor under this section exceeds $100,000.00].
(cf: P.L.2007, c.350, s.2)
2. N.J.S.2B:14-3 is amended to read as follows:
2B:14-3. Salaries of Surrogates. The board of chosen freeholders in each county shall fix the Surrogate's annual salary by resolution [in an amount equal to not less than sixty-five percent (65%) of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court which shall not be diminished during the term of office or during any consecutive terms served by the Surrogate. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a surrogate whose annual salary exceeds the amount provided for herein shall be reduced, or that a board of chosen freeholders may not increase the salary of a surrogate in excess of the amount provided for herein].
(cf: P.L.2001, c.370, s.1)
3. N.J.S.40A:9-76 is amended to read as follows:
40A:9-76. The board of chosen freeholders in each county, by resolution, shall fix the annual salary of the county clerk [in an amount equal to not less than sixty-five percent (65%) of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a county clerk whose annual salary exceeds the amount provided for herein shall be reduced, or that a board of chosen freeholders may not increase the salary of a county clerk in excess of the amount provided for herein.
Nothing in this section shall
authorize the fixing of the salary of any person holding the office of county
clerk at any amount less than that now payable pursuant to law, so long as the
said person shall hold such office during the present and any consecutively
ensuing term or terms, nor shall anything in this section authorize the payment
of any salary for which a range is established in an amount less than the
minimum of said range].
The salary of said officer shall be paid by the proper county disbursing officer in the same manner as county officers and employees are paid.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.370, s.10)
4. N.J.S.40A:9-92 is amended to read as follows:
40A:9-92. The board of chosen freeholders in each county, by resolution, shall fix the annual salary of the register of deeds and mortgages [in an amount equal to not less than sixty-five percent (65%) of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a register whose annual salary exceeds the amount provided for herein shall be reduced, or that a board of chosen freeholders may not increase the salary of a register in excess of the amount provided for herein.
Nothing in this section shall authorize the fixing of the salary of any person holding the office of register of deeds and mortgages at any amount less than that now payable pursuant to law, so long as the said person shall hold such office during the present and any consecutively ensuing term or terms, nor shall anything in this section authorize the payment of any salary for which a range is established in an amount less than the minimum of said range].
The salary of said officer shall be paid by the proper county disbursing officer in the same manner as county officers and employees are paid.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.370, s.11)
5. N.J.S.40A:9-104 is amended to read as follows:
40A:9-104. The board of chosen freeholders in each county, by resolution, shall fix the annual salary of the sheriff [in an amount equal to not less than sixty-five percent (65%) of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a sheriff whose annual salary exceeds the amount provided for herein shall be reduced, or that a board of chosen freeholders may not increase the salary of a sheriff in excess of the amount provided for herein.
Nothing in this section shall authorize the fixing of the salary of any person holding the office of sheriff at any amount less than that now payable pursuant to law, so long as the said person shall hold such office during the present and any consecutively ensuing term or terms, nor shall anything in this section authorize the payment of any salary for which a range is established in an amount less than the minimum of said range].
The salary of said officer shall be paid by the proper county disbursing officer in the same manner as county officers and employees are paid.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.370, s.12)
6. This act shall take effect, immediately but shall remain inoperative with respect to persons whose term of office commenced prior to the effective date, until commencement of the next following term of office.
STATEMENT
This bill would permit county boards of chosen freeholders to set the salaries of their country prosecutor, surrogate, sheriff, county clerk, and registrar of deeds and mortgages. Under current law, these salaries are tied to the salaries of judges of the Superior Court. The salaries of current office-holders would not be affected until after the next election or appointment for the particular county office.