The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has appointed Michael D. Fitzgerald to serve as county counsel for a three-year term.
Fitzgerald will serve as the chief legal officer for the county when he begins his term on Jan. 9. He will succeed Andrea Bazer in the position.
Fitzgerald is a member of the Colts Neck Township Committee and he said he will step down from that position effective Jan. 8.
Bazer resigned as county counsel in November to accept a nomination as a state Superior Court judge, according to the resolution.
The freeholders said that following Bazer’s resignation, the county “engaged in an extensive search and interview process for her successor, which involved publishing requests for qualifications and interviewing numerous candidates for county counsel.” The freeholders said Fitzgerald “has significant experience in the type of matters handled by county counsel …”
The position of county counsel has a salary of $160,000, according to a county spokeswoman.