Hollidaysburg Area School District Tax Collectors v. Hollidaysburg Area School District

In Hollidaysburg Area School District Tax Collectors v. Hollidaysburg Area School District, 660 A.2d 245 (Pa. Cmwlth.), the school district adopted a resolution setting a new rate of compensation for its tax collectors which was a reduction of 70%. The tax collectors commenced an action in equity seeking to enjoin and set aside the resolution as an arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion. The tax collectors testified that the new rate of compensation did not adequately compensate them for the duties performed. The school district moved for compulsory nonsuit, stating that the tax collectors did not establish a right to relief. The trial court granted the school district's motion. The tax collectors appealed to this court. This court affirmed the trial court stating in pertinent part as follows: Arbitrariness and caprice must not be confused with bona fide differences of opinion and judgment. The former are indices of motivation and intention, while the later, by definition, concede proper motivation and intention and differ only as concerns methods and modes of achievement and realization. Having reviewed the record, we conclude that Common Pleas properly entered the compulsory nonsuit. The Collectors presented testimony regarding their duties, the time spent performing these duties, their current compensation, and how they would be affected by the new rate of compensation. Their testimony established that the new rate of compensation would be financially detrimental to them, but it did not establish bad faith or lack of authority on the part of the District. The Collectors did not present evidence that the District acted with improper motive or intent. The Collectors established nothing more than that they and the District differ with regard to what is considered adequate compensation for the job. Id., 660 A.2d at 247.