(A) Within 30 days of the enactment of this subchapter, the members of the Merit Board shall be appointed and elected in conformity with § 31.35 of this subchapter.
(B) Within 60 days after their appointment, the Merit Board shall develop its rules, regulations and procedures. At a minimum the rules must address for the general administration of the Board: organizational structure, conduct of its meetings,. procedures for public hearings, and implementation of written and oral examinations, and physical fitness tests for appointment and promotion of deputy sheriffs, and such other matters within the purview of the Merit Board's authority. At a minimum, the rules shall address for sheriff deputies: qualifications for initial and continued employment (including citizenship, age, physical, mental, and educational requirements), advancement requirements (deputy must be employed for three full years before eligible for sergeant), grounds for temporary appointments, factors which shall or may result in demotion, fining, probation, suspension or removal, procedures for determining whether to demote and for executing a demotion, and administrative procedures for transfer, layoff and reinstatement. The Board. shall provide the Judge/Executive, each County Commissioner and the Sheriff with a copy of the proposed rules, regulations and procedures for their review. If neither the Fiscal Court or the Sheriff disapprove of the Merit Board's rules, regulations and procedures within 30 days, such shall become effective thereafter.
(C) Within 48 hours after the rules are effective a certified copy of the rules shall be provided to the Sheriff, the County Judge/Executive and each County Commissioner. The Sheriff shall post a copy of these rules in a conspicuous place in the Sheriff's Department office.
(D) The subsequent issuance of additional rules, or the repeal or amendment of existing rules shall follow the provisions of subsection (C) of this section.
(Ord. 09-98-02, passed 9-29-98)