Randall Woodfin v. General Bender

Summary

The court held that sovereign immunity barred the classified employees' claims for back pay because the salary policy did not unambiguously require the claimed placement of existing employees, leaving a legitimate dispute over the defendants' payment obligation. Because the defendants retained discretion in interpreting and implementing the policy, the requested monetary relief was not enforcement of an undisputed ministerial duty. The immunity deprived the trial court of subject-matter jurisdiction, rendering its judgment void and requiring dismissal of the appeal.