Donovan v. Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders

TOSKOS, J.S.C.

Plaintiffs, Kathleen Donovan, County Executive of Bergen County, and Edward Trawinski, County Administrator of Bergen County (collectively, “plaintiffs”), filed this action in lieu of prerogative writs against defendants, Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders (“Board”) and Board Chairman, John D. Mitchell (collectively, “defendants”). This case presents two issues regarding the separation of powers between the county executive and board of freeholders in a county executive form of government. First, whether the county executive or the board of freeholders has the power to…