(a) MERIT PRINCIPLE.
All appointments and promotions of Municipal employees shall be made on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated through a competitive selection process to the extent practicable and except as otherwise provided by Council. A personnel system based upon merit shall be established when the Municipality achieves city status or sooner if authorized by ordinance.
(b) CLASSIFIED AND UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE.
Council shall establish a classified and unclassified service for employees of the Municipality when a merit system is established as determined by Section 6.06(a) of this Charter. Council shall adopt a Code of Personnel Practices and Procedures to define and govern the classified and unclassified service of the Municipality. All original appointments and promotions to full-time positions below the level of Chief within the divisions of police and fire shall be within the classified service.
(c) ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICES.
Appointments to and removal from all elected and appointed offices, including the Municipality's boards, commissions and committees, shall be made in accordance with the specific applicable provision of the Charter or the specific applicable legislation of the Municipality, and shall not be subject to Sections 6.06(a) and 6.06(b) of this Charter.
(d) RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
The laws of the State of Ohio governing the retirement of employees of a Municipality shall be applicable to municipal employees under this Charter.