§ 8.04. Personnel rules.

It is the intention of this article to provide for a merit system of employment in City service. The council shall enact by ordinance a set of rules governing classified municipal employment which shall, among other things, provide:

• a. For the classification of all positions in the classified service.

• b. For open, free and competitive examinations to test the relative fitness of applicants for such positions, and or reasonable publication and public advertisement of all examinations and for promotion based upon competitive examinations or records of efficiency, character, conduct and seniority, or upon examination and record.

• c. For the creation of eligible lists upon which shall be entered the names of successful candidates in the order of their standing on the examination, except if waived or modified in the personnel rules, and for the certifications of those on the appropriate list to the manager or department heads for appointment to fill vacancies and for the manner in which appointments shall be made from such list.

• d. For the period of time in which eligible lists shall continue in effect.

• e. For a period of probation not to exceed one (1) year, both on original and promotional appointments, before the appointment is made permanent, during which time, in the case of an original appointment, the probationer may be discharged or, in the case of a promotion, returned to a position of their former classification by the head of the department of office in which employed. Provided, however, that no period of absence from work, leave, or limited duty assignment shall be credited toward completion of the probationary period, nor shall any overtime or additional work beyond normal working hours be credited towards completion of the probationary period.

• f. For the rejection of candidates of eligibility who fail to comply with a bona fide occupational qualification in regard to age or sex or who fail to comply with a qualification standard which is job-related and consistent with business necessity; or who have been convicted of a crime which adversely affects their qualification for the position applied for; or who have attempted any deception or fraud in connection with an examination for employment by the City.

• g. For the employment with examination of provisional employees, in cases of emergency pending appointment from an eligible list, but no such provisional employment shall continue for more than thirty (30) days after the establishment of an eligible list for the position held, and in no event for more than (90) days.

• h. For transfer from one (1) position to a similar position in the same class and grade, for reinstatement after resignation, layoff or reduction in class or grade.

• i. For the discipline of employees by suspension, demotion, discharge or other actions not inconsistent with the provisions of this article.

• j. For the certification to the chief finance officer of the City of names and classifications of all persons legally employed in the City service, without which certifications this officer shall not authorize the issuance of salary paychecks.

(April 11, 1972; amended by General Municipal Election on November 2, 2010; Amended by General Municipal Election on November 3, 2020)