Civil service rules when adopted by the City Commission shall, among other things, provide:
(a) For the appointment of a civil service eligibility board to consist of three members. The terms of the members when the first appointments are made shall be so arranged as to expire once every two years, and each appointment thereafter upon the expiration of any term shall be for six years. The City Commission shall also fill any vacancy for any unexpired term. The members of the board shall serve without pecuniary compensation. Said civil service eligibility board shall, by means of open competitive tests, ascertain the relative fitness of all applicants for appointment to any position in the police and fire departments, and of applicants for such other offices and positions as the City Commission may place in the classified service. A list of those eligible for each position with the respective grades and rank shall be filed with the City Auditor and shall be open to public inspection, and all appointments to positions in the classified service shall be made from such eligibility list.
(b) For a period of probation not exceeding one year before an appointment or employment in the classified service shall be made permanent.
(c) That promotion from the lower grades to the higher grades shall be based upon competitive examinations and records of efficiency and character. Whenever found practicable the vacancies shall be filled by promotion, but this is not compulsory.
(d) That all appointments and promotions in the police and fire departments shall be subject to the approval of the City Commission.
(e) For the prevention of undue political activity on the part of persons in the classified service, no person in the classified service shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or receive any fund, assessment or subscription for any political party or political purpose, nor take any active part in any political campaign.
(f) Than any officer or employee in the classified service may be removed, suspended or reduced in rank by the City Manager for incompetence, gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, habitual drunkenness, failure to obey orders given by proper authority or for any other just or reasonable cause which will promote the efficiency of the service; but if any officer is suspended, removed or reduced in rank, as herein provided, the City Manager shall forthwith in writing certify the fact, together with the cause of the removal, suspension or reduction, to the City Commission, who within five days from the receipt thereof, proceed to inquire into the cause of such removal, suspension or reduction and render judgment thereon. The judgment of the City Commission in such matters shall be final.
(Amended 11-4-80.)