Appointments and promotions in the administrative service of the City shall be made according to merit and fitness, to be ascertained, so far as practicable, by competitive examination.
The Civil Service System adopted by the City Council pursuant to State law and in effect prior to the effective date of this Charter, shall continue in full force and effect unless changed by ordinance of the City Council or by amendment to the rules and regulations approved by the City Council. As provided in the State enabling act referred to above, the City Council shall not have the authority to withdraw any departments or employees, including Department Heads, placed in Classified Service, from the operation of such system, either by outright repeal of the Civil Service ordinance or otherwise, unless and until its withdrawal shall have been submitted to the voters of the City at a regular or special municipal election held in the City and shall have been approved by majority vote at a City election.