§ 44.16 — Merit System, Abandonment
Plain-Language Summary
The merit system can be abolished by voter approval. The council can put the question on a ballot, or voters equal to 25 percent of the last election turnout can petition for it. A simple majority ends the system, except where it replaced a police or fire civil service commission (requiring two-thirds).
44.16 MERIT SYSTEM, ABANDONMENT.
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Subdivision 1.Procedure.
The merit system may be abandoned and the board abolished in any municipality in the manner provided in this subdivision. The council may, and upon petition therefor signed by voters equal in number to at least 25 percent of the electors voting at the last general municipal election shall, submit to the voters at a regular or special election the question of abolition of the board. The question on the ballot shall be stated substantially as follows: “Shall the personnel board be abolished?” If a majority of the votes cast on the proposition is in favor of abolition of the board, the board shall cease to exist and the status of all departments and employees shall thereafter be the same as if no board had been established; but if the board supplanted a police or firefighter’s civil service commission, the board shall not be abolished unless two-thirds of the electors voting at the election vote in favor of the proposition. §
Subd. 2.Home rule charter provisions.
Nothing in subdivision 1 shall preclude any municipality from abolishing the board or modifying its powers and duties by home rule charter provisions or from supplanting the merit system provided by this chapter by a different provision in a home rule charter. The provisions of this chapter shall thereafter become inapplicable to such city except as otherwise provided in the charter.
History:
1951 c 675 s 16; 1977 c 429 s 63
History: History: 1951 c 675 s 16; 1977 c 429 s 63