A.    There is adopted and established an employee personnel system for Vernal City which shall be based on the following principles and provide for:

    1.    A City-wide system of employment in municipal government free from personal and political considerations;

    2.    Equal employment opportunity without discrimination against any employees or applicants for employment because of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability;

    3.    Just and equitable incentives and conditions of employment established and maintained to promote efficiency and economy in the operation of Vernal City government;

    4.    Positions having similar duties and responsibilities classified and compensated on a justifiable and uniform basis;

    5.    Appointments, promotions and all other personnel action requiring the application of the merit principles based on systematic and validated tests and evaluations;

    6.    High morale maintained by the fair and just administration of this chapter and by every consideration of the rights and interests of employees, consistent with the best interests of the public and Vernal City;

    7.    A formal plan of adopted and published rules and regulations for the appointment, dismissal, promotion, demotion, transfer, tenure, discipline, classification, compensation, benefits, training, and all other employment practices, policies and procedures which affect Vernal City employees.

    B.    All officers and positions of Vernal City are divided into either the classified service or the exempt service.

    1.    The exempt service shall include the following:

    a.    All elected officials including members of boards and commissions;

    b.    The City Manager and department heads appointed by the City Manager;

    c.    Volunteer personnel and personnel appointed to serve without pay;

    d.    Consultants and legal counsel rendering contractual, temporary professional service;

    e.    Temporary or emergency employees as defined in the personnel rules and regulations.

    2.    The classified service shall include all other positions in the City service that are not specifically placed in the exempt service by this chapter.

    C.    Administration Duties and Powers. The City Manager shall be the Chief Personnel Officer of Vernal City and shall administer or appoint a designee to administer the personnel system provided by this chapter hereby and by the rules and regulations it authorizes and by other applicable laws. He shall perform the duties and have the powers concerning personnel matters as follows:

    1.    Administer and maintain the merit personnel system and other pertinent rules and regulations established by this chapter and its authority;

    2.    Develop, maintain and apply procedures for the recruitment, compensation, promotion, training, discipline and related aspects of personnel management for all personnel under his jurisdiction, subject to the provisions of this chapter, council policies, and personnel rules and regulations stated herein or adopted pursuant to this chapter;

    3.    Issue other supplemental personnel directives as are necessary for the effective implementation of this chapter, council policies, and rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto;

    4.    Recommend and submit to the Council for approval or modification such new or revised personnel rules and regulations to include:

    a.    An affirmative action program providing for the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for municipal employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry or physical handicap,

    b.    An annual pay plan for all municipal employees based on the job market, the City's ability to pay, and cost-of-living adjustment,

    c.    Methods for determining the merit and fitness of candidates for appointment or promotion,

    d.    Policies and procedures regulating reduction in force, demotions, transfers and removal, separation or discharge of employees,

    e.    Hours of work, standards of conduct, probationary period requirements, attendance regulations, and provisions for sick leave and vacation leave,

    f.    Polices and procedures governing persons holding provisional appointments,

    g.    Policies and procedures governing employee-management relationships,

    h.    Policies regarding all aspects of training and education programs,

    i.    Other practices and procedures necessary for the administration of the personnel system;

    5.    Recommend to the City Council contractual agreements with any qualified person or agency for the performance of such technical services as may be desired by Vernal City.

    D.    Nothing in this chapter or in the rules and regulations developed hereunder shall in any way conflict with any federal or state law, rule, regulation or requirement which is or may become binding on Vernal City because of either the statutory existence of such laws or regulations or contracts into which Vernal City has entered or may enter with other units of government. (Added during 1993 recodification)