Prior to the adoption of Ord. 18254 on 09/20/2004, Section 19-87 read as follows.

(a) Advancement to a higher salary rate within an established salary range shall be called a merit increase. The salary of each permanent classified employee shall be reviewed by the department head in conjunction with performance evaluations for the purpose of determining eligibility for salary increase. All personnel records, attendance, citations, and length of service shall be considered in making recommendations with major emphasis placed on the evaluation of efficiency and effectiveness of performance of services rendered. After the above analysis by the department head, and subject to the review of the director, an permanent classified employee may be entitled to upward salary adjustments until the established maximum salary for the classification has been reached.

(b) The department head shall submit the recommended increase and an evaluation of the employee on appropriate forms to the director for review sufficiently in advance of the effective date of the increase to allow time for review and consideration.

(c) Department heads may recommend to the director that merit pay increases be granted to individual employees at intervals more often than the normal increments. Such specific merit increases shall be based upon exceptional performance of duties expected of the position.

(1) Employees, other than police officers and firefighters, shall receive performance and/or salary reviews at mid-point and completion of probationary and qualifying periods, on the first day of the pay period one year after completion of the probationary/qualifying period, then annually thereafter.

(2) Police officers shall receive performance reviews every six (6) months for three (3) years from date of hire, then annually thereafter. Merit pay increase eligibility begins one year from date of hire, then annually thereafter.

(3) Firefighters shall receive performance reviews every six (6) months during the eighteen-month probationary period. Merit pay increase eligibility begins one year from date of hire and annually thereafter.

(e) Service requirements for advancement within pay ranges and for other purposes as specified in these regulations, shall have the implication of continuous ~~full-time~~ service, which means employment in the city service without break or interruption, such as resignation, leave without pay for more than two (2) calendar weeks, unauthorized leave, extended military leave, and so forth.