Lead Opinion
This аction was commenced on August 28, 1978, against Daniel T. Murphy in his capacity as Oakland County Executive by the filing of plaintiffs’ five-count complaint for mandamus and declaratory and injunctive relief in the Oakland County Circuit Court. The case was assigned to Judge Robert L. Templin. Count III of the complaint, involving plaintiff L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney, and C. Hugh Dohany, Oakland County Treasurer, as defendant, was dismissed on January 9, 1979. Neither plaintiff Patterson nor defendant Dohany are parties to this appeal. Count V, involving the Board of County Road Cоmmissioners, was dismissed upon motion therefor on February 1, 1979.
On February 20, 1979, the trial judge ruled, in an oral opinion from the bench, that
On June 27, 1979, this Court granted an unopposed motion of the Board of County Commissioners to be dropped as a party appellant. This appeal is taken by appellants Henry W. Hoot, an elected County Commissioner of Oakland County, and George W. Kuhn, the elected Drain Commissioner of Oakland County.
The opinion of the trial court and this appeal concern the legal issues raised by: Count I of the complaint (constitutionality of
On appeal, no transcript of the proceedings held in the trial court has been made available as required by GCR 1963, 812.2(a); however, on June 8, 1979, the trial court issued an order to omit as part of the record the transcription and filing of the oral arguments of counsel made below.
Oakland County was incorporated in 1850 under article 10, § 1 of the Michigan Constitution of 1850. On August 6, 1974, the electors of Oakland County voted to adopt an optional unified form of county government as provided for by
The facts underlying the three vetoes which constitute the substance of this appeal are as follows. On March 4, 1976, the Board of Commissioners resolved to combine the powers, duties and functions of the drain commissioner with those of the public works commissioner. Defendant county executive vetoed the resolution on March 12, 1976, stating his reasons for the veto by letter. A motion to override the veto failed by a vote of 15 to 11 on April 13, 1976. In 1977, the Boаrd of Commissioners passed a resolution amending the proposed 1978 county budget by approving certain salary rates and employment classification changes. By letter dated December 28, 1977, defendant county executive vetoed a line item providing for the position of project engineer manager. A February 2, 1978, vote of the Board of Commissioners on a motion to override the veto failed by a vote of 10 to 12. On April 6, 1978, the Board of Commissioners, by vote of 18 to 8, elected to withdraw from SEMTA:
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oakland County Board of Cоmmissioners withdraw the County of Oakland from SEMTA, and establish a separate transportation authority as provided under Public Act 266 and direct State Treasurer Allison Green to forward those monies collected from Oakland County to Oakland County.”
This resolution was vetoed by defendant county executive on April 13, 1978; on April 20, 1978, the Board of Commissioners failed to override the veto by a vote of 7 to 18. The Board of Commissioners propounded another resolution to terminate Oak
The plaintiffs’ action is for mandamus, declaratory and injunctive rеlief. Count I of plaintiffs’ complaint alleged that
I. Constitutionality of
Const 1963, art 7, § 1 provides that: "Each organized county shall be a body corporate with powers and immunities provided by law.”
In relevant part, art 7, § 2 states that: "The law may permit the organization of county government
Art 7, § 7, mandates the establishment of a board of county commissioners (board of supervisors) in all organized counties, while art 7, § 8, delineates the general nature of the powers and duties which devolve upon such board, but not thеir scope.
The language excerpted from §§ 1, 2, 7, and 8 of
A final constitutional provision of relevance is art 7, § 34, which reads:
"The provisions of this constitution and law concerning counties, townships, cities and villages shall be liberally construed in their favor. Powers granted to counties and townships by this constitution and by law shall inсlude those fairly implied and not prohibited by this constitution.”
In order to implement art 7, § 2, the Legislature passed
In 1973, the Legislature passed
"* * * to provide forms of county government; to provide for county managers and county executives and*647 to prescribe their powers and duties; to abolish certain departments, boards, commissions, and authorities; to provide for transfer of certain powers and functions; to prescribe powers of a board of county commissioners and elected officials; to provide organization of administrative functions; to transfer property; to retain ordinances and laws not inconsistent with this act; and to provide methods for abolition of a unified fоrm of county government.”
Under MCL 45.551; MSA 5.302(51), an unchartered county, such as Oakland County, may adopt an optional unified form of county government. Under such form of government, a county is required to include either an appointed county manager or an elected county executive. MCL 45.552; MSA 5.302(52). Oakland County chose the latter course.
As noted above, Oakland County adopted this form of government pursuant to the strictures found in MCL 45.553; MSA 5.302(53), through initial adoption thereof by the board of commissioners and subsequent approval by the voters.
With this background, we now address each of plaintiffs’ attacks on the constitutionality of
We must read the above constitutional provisions, which all relate to the same subject matter, as a whole, in context and with an eye to harmonizing them so as to give effect to all. Saginaw County, supra,
Examining the above constitutional provisions with these objects in mind, as well as employing the convention comments quoted hereinbefore to aid our construction of the cited sections, we are led to the unavoidable conclusion that art 7, §§ 2, 7, and 8 indeed provide for the specific unchartered form of county government envisaged by
Reading these provisions together, while being mindful of the convention comments to art 7, § 2, we find no proviso in the Constitution which would either proscribe the establishment of an unchartered form of county government or preclude the Legislature from creating a number of sub-categories within the unchartered form. Article 7, § 34 supports the proposition that counties were to be given great latitude with respect to the form of government they utilize, which in turn cuts in favor of allowing the Legislature to place maximal options at the counties’ disposal. Finally, art 7, § 1 gives to the Legislature sweeping authority to determine the powers of counties. We therefore conclude that the optional unified form of county government is clearly authorized by the Constitution of 1963; specifically, art 7, §§ 2, 7, and 8.
Finally, we do not perceive
Both
There being no constitutional interdiction against the legislative pronouncements found in
II. Exercise of the Veto Power by the County Executive
MCL 45.561; MSA 5.302(61), provides:_
*651 "Sec. 11. (1) The county executive may veto any ordinance or resolution adopted by the board, including all or any items of an ordinance appropriating funds. The veto shall be certified by the county executive to the board of county commissioners within 10 days from date of adoption of the ordinance or resolution and the board may override the veto by a 2/3 vote of all members elected and serving.
"(2) Under the unified form of county government containing alternate B an ordinance or resolution shall become effective on approval of the county executive, on expiration of 10 days without approval or veto, or on the overriding of a veto in the manner above described.”
The veto power is a legislative function, although it is not affirmative and creative, but is strictly negative and destructive. Stadle v Battle Creek Twp,
Plaintiffs argue that the resolutions to withdraw from SEMTA and to merge the offices of public works and drain commissioners were made pursuant to specific statutory authority granted it by the Legislature.
While plaintiffs correctly state the general rule of law, we are unable to agree that the rule applies here. We do not find the conflict in legislation alleged by plaintiffs to be present. To the contrary, we find
The ability of the board of commissioners to vote in favor of a SEMTA withdrawal, or a public works/drain commissioner merger, does not conflict with the ultimate veto power of the county executive, nor with the board of commissioners’ subsequent ability to override such vetoes. One represents legislative action; the other executive fiat. The subject matter covered by each does not directly overlap. Surely, the words "subject to veto” need not have been included by the Legislature as a part of the SEMTA withdrawal and merger enactments.
We reject out of hand plaintiffs’ claim that the SEMTA withdrawal resolution was not subject to veto because it had regional implications whereas the veto power of the executive is restricted to purely county affairs. It is well-settled that the board’s power to pass laws, regulations, ordinances or resolutions is likewise restricted to purely
Plaintiffs’ contention that the veto power was intended to be exercisable only as to matters dealing with the optional unified form of county government is without merit. MCL 45.561; MSA 5.302(61), plainly and unambiguously refers to any action of the board of commissioners as a proper subject for exercise of the veto power. No judicial construction to the contrary is possible. Dillon v Secretary of State,
Finally, we address plaintiffs’ contention that the veto of the merger resolution was invalid, as it divested the drain commissioner of vested powers in direct contravention of the commands found , in
The drain commissioner’s powers remained the same as they were prior to the veto. In addition, any proposed additional powers would not vest in the public works commissioner until the resolution was approved by the county executive or 10 days expired without approval or veto or until the veto was overridden. MCL 45.561(2); MSA 5.302(61X2). Until such time as the resolution became opera
Lastly, resolution No. 7468, also referred to as "The Public Works Merger Resolution”, did not propose to grаnt power to the drain commissioner but bestowed the powers intended to be granted upon one county department headed by public works commissioners.
III. Conclusion
Based upon all of the foregoing we conclude that the disposition in the court below was proper. We therefore affirm the decision of the circuit court.
Affirmed. No costs, a public question being involved.
Notes
The constitutional conventiоn of 1961 official comment to this section, which may properly be employed by courts as an aid in construing a constitutional provision open to question, Regents of the University of Michigan v State of Michigan,
"Convention Comment: This is a new section enabling counties, by vote of the people, to adjust their governmental structure to meet modern problems effectively.
"The question of electing a charter commission to frame a charter may be put on the ballot by vote of the board of supervisors; or upon petition of five per cent of the electors thе question must be put on the ballot. If the proposal is approved by the people, a charter commission is then elected.
"The charter commission is limited by legislative action in the structural changes it may propose. But the legislature is authorized to permit county government 'in form different from that set forth in this constitution.’ To become effective, the charter framed by the commission must be approved by a vote of the people.
"A county charter may authorize the county to adopt resolutions and ordinаnces 'relating to its concerns,’ subject to law. This means that the charter county need not have specific permission from the legislature to perform local functions and that such activities may be limited only by legislative enactment.
"The charter county would be required to comply with property tax rates and debt limits established by general law. Such a county, however, is given new powers to levy taxes 'other than property taxes,’ subject also to limitations in this constitution or by law.
"This home rule section makes it possible for thоse counties with specific problems to deal with them effectively, but does so without disturbing unnecessarily the government of other counties in the state.” (Emphasis added.)
Const 1963, art 7, § 7, reads as follows:
"Sec. 7. A board of supervisors shall be established in each organized county consisting of one member from each organized township and such representation from cities as provided by law.”
Const 1963, art 7, § 8, states:
"Sec. 8. Boards of supervisors shall have legislative, administrative and such other powers and duties as provided by law.”
MCL 45.551 et seq.; MSA 5.302(51) et seq.
In MCL 45.514(b); MSA 5.302(14)(b), the Legislature, with respect to charter counties, prоvided for delineating the scope of the board’s powers within the county charter itself. The scope of the board’s powers in optional unified counties is laid out in MCL 45.556; MSA 5.302(56). See also note 6, infra.
See MCL 45.514(a); MSA 5.302(14)(a).
See MCL 45.558, 45.560, 45.561; MSA 5.302(58), 5.302(60), 5.302(61). The setting out of the powers of the county executive, as well as those of the board of commissioners, within
The resolution to withdraw from SEMTA was passed pursuant to MCL 124.405(1); MSA 5.3475(105X1). The resolution authorizing the merger of the two offices was adopted under the aegis of MCL 280.21(3); MSA 11.1021(3). These statutes are both parts of more comprehensive acts. We accept plaintiffs’ contention regarding the specific nature of this legislation as well as the specific intent of the Legislature relative thereto.
The provision in effect at the time the veto was exercised was MCL 46.11; MSA 5.331. However, the differences between the former provisiоn and the present one are not germane with respect to our inquiries.
The statute reads in relevant part:
"Sec. 4. (1) On the date the optional unified form of county government becomes effective all appointed boards, commissions, and authorities except the apportionment commission, airport zoning board of appeals, board of county canvassers, boards of determination for drainage districts, civil service commission, county drainage board, county department of veterans’ affairs administrative committee or soldiers’ relief commission, concealed weapons licensing board, election commission, jury commission, library commission, parks and recreation commission, social services board, tax allocation board, any board established to oversee retirement programs, any plat board, any mental health board, any hospital board, any intercounty drainage board, and any building authority established by the county individually or in conjunction with another unit of government and the boards of county road commissioners; and all elective county offices' except those of county commissioner, prosecuting attorney, clerk, register of deeds, treasurer, sheriff, elected county auditors, and drain commissioner are abolished and the tenure of persons holding the office or appointment are terminated. Termination shall take effect whether or not it coincides with the end of a term of office or appointment. All county departments in conflict with the departmental organization established by this act are abolished. As used in this act, the term department or county department shall not be construed to include boards of county road commissioners.
"(2) Powers vested in an abolished office, board, commission, authority, or department, on the date the optional unified form of county government becomes effective, become general county government powers, and functions performed by the office, board, commission, authority, or department shall be carried on as provided in this act.
"(3) A board or commission which is excepted from this act рursuant to subsection (1) shall exercise the powers and duties as provided by law.
"(4) The power vested in the office of county prosecuting attorney, county sheriff, county register of deeds, county clerk, county treasurer, county drain commissioner, or the board of county road commissioners and elected county auditor shall not be minimized or divested by this act.”
The resolution declared:
"Moved by Hoot that the County of Oakland resolve to combine the powers, duties and functions set forth in Act No. 185 of the Public Acts of 1957, as amended, Act No. 342 of the Public Acts of 1939, as аmended, and this act into one (1) county department headed by the public works commissioners pursuant to the provisions of Act 40 of the Public Acts of 1956, as amended by Act 170 of 1974, as amended.”
Concurrence Opinion
(concurring). I concur in the opinion of my colleagues. I write separately to describe what I perceive to be the differences between the case at bar and The Raven, Inc v City of Southfueld,
The Raven presented the question of whether the mayor of a home rule city, being invested with a veto power pursuant to the city charter, could
In The Raven, the mayoral veto power was the product of the municipality’s charter; the Home Rule Cities Act, in providing for the office of mayor, does not explicitly propose that the mayor exercise a veto power. See MCL 117.3; MSA 5.2073. In the case at bar the contested veto power, although surely granted, by the local electorate as in The Raven, is also the subject of the Legislature’s explicit consideration. See MCL 45.561; MSA 5.302(61). Thus, that power cannot be as easily discounted as was the veto power at issue in The Raven.
It is not as clear in this case, as it was in The Raven, that the statute providing for the county’s withdrawal from SEMTA, MCL 124.405(1); MSA 5.3475(105X1), and the provisions authorizing merger of the offices of the Commissiоner of Public Works and the Drain Commissioner, MCL 280.21(3); MSA 11.1021(3), were intended by the Legislature to be a simple grant of exclusive authority. Unlike the Liquor Control Act at issue in The Raven, these statutes require a two-thirds majority vote to perform the actions they authorize. Both actions are of an unusual nature. The extraordinary majority required for these actions reflects a policy limiting the county commission’s power to act, rather than expanding it. Such a
It may be further observed that, under the provisions of MCL 45.561; MSA 5.302(61), the same two-thirds majority required to withdraw from SEMTA or reorganize the office of the Commissioner of Public Works may override the veto of the executive. Thus, the addition of the executive veto to these actions is a virtual nullity, and the commission’s powers in these matter are, as a practical matter, untouched by the veto. To bar the executive’s veto power in this case would disturb the "Option B” governmental scheme proposed by the Legislature with no corresponding preservation of any other legislatively-established values or governmental schemes.
