Section 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.