§ 2606. Chief clerk and deputy chief clerk of the surrogate's court and

other personnel in Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond

counties

1. The judge of the surrogate's court in the counties of Bronx, Kings,
New York, Queens and Richmond counties may severally appoint and remove
a chief clerk of the court, a deputy chief clerk and such law
assistants, clerks, court reporters and other officers and employees as
necessary.

2. The chief clerk shall also be and shall perform all duties of the
clerk of the surrogate's court.

3. Each chief clerk and deputy chief clerk of the court shall, before
entering upon the performance of his duties, take the constitutional
oath of office and file the same with the county clerk, together with a
bond in the sum of $50,000 approved by the surrogate conditioned on the
faithful performance of the duties of his office.

4. Should the chief clerk or deputy chief clerk be absent or unable to
act or if the office be vacant the surrogate may designate any law
assistant or other clerk to serve temporarily as chief clerk or deputy
chief clerk of the court.

5. Each surrogate may appoint and remove such attendants, messengers
and court officers to attend terms and sessions of court and perform
such duties as required. Such officers shall have all the powers of
officers designated by sheriffs to attend upon courts of record.

6. The compensation of all court personnel in the surrogate's court of
each county, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, shall be fixed
by the respective surrogates upon approval of the state administrator
and shall be a city charge provided that the final determination of the
estimate of annual financial needs of the court shall be made as
provided by article 7-a of the judiciary law and section 29 of article 6
of the Constitution. The proper appropriating body shall annually
appropriate the necessary funds for such compensation and other expenses
of the court.