The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Wednesday upheld as constitutional a year-long wage freeze for all Nassau County employees, finding that the move by an independent financial oversight body did not violate the U.S. Constitution’s Contract Clause.

A three-judge panel of the Manhattan-based appeals court said the 2011 decision by the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority was “clearly reasonable” and necessary to avoid more Draconian cuts in the distressed municipality, which is also one of the wealthiest counties in New York state.