Article IX — CIVIL SERVICE

Section 1. - Policy.

The council shall establish a merit system by ordinance to provide an equitable and uniform procedure for the administration of personnel matters and to ensure that employment be made on the basis of merit and fitness so that the best qualified persons available are brought into the service of the city.

Section 2. - The civil service system.

All regular employees shall be included within the Civil Service system except as follows:

(1)

All elective offices;

(2)

All members of boards and commissions;

(3)

All Department Heads;

(4)

City Administrator and deputies, if any; and

(5)

City Attorney and deputies, if any.

Any person on the effective date of this Charter amendment holding a position of employment which was previously included in the Civil Service system, shall be entitled to Civil Service status for the duration of

his/her employment in that position. No department head may be removed except upon a four-fifths (⅘) vote of the Council.

Section 3. - Personnel commission.

By Ordinance the Council may establish a Personnel Commission.