N.Y. County Law § 911
The clerk of each of the counties within the city of New York may appoint a counsel who shall be an attorney and counselor-at-law with not less than ten years' experience, and who shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the county clerk of his county within the amount provided by the board of estimate.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section or of any other law, the salaries of any counsel to such county clerks may be increased by the board of estimate of the city of New York, provided that if such board increases the salaries of any such counsel above the salaries provided for in this section, such board shall likewise have the power to decrease any such salaries to any salaries not lower than the salaries provided for in this section.
N.Y. CountyLaw § 911