The following words, terms, and phrases, wherever used in this part, shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this section, unless the context plainly indicates a different meaning:

(1) APPOINTING AUTHORITY. A department head.

(2) BOARD. The personnel board herein authorized.

(3) CLASSIFIED SERVICE. Includes all offices, positions, and employment in the City of Dothan as these offices, positions, and employment now or may hereafter exist, the holders of which are paid whether by salary, wages, or fees, in whole or in part, from funds of the city, except those expressly placed in the unclassified service.

(4) COMMITTEE. The citizens supervisory committee herein created.

(5) DEPARTMENT HEADS.

a. City manager as the administrative head of the municipal government.

b. City clerk-treasurer in charge of the administrative department.

c. City engineer in charge of the engineering department.

d. Electrical superintendent in charge of the electrical department.

e. Fire chief.

f. Chief of police.

g. Superintendent of recreation.

h. Superintendent of sanitation.

i. Superintendent of streets.

j. Superintendent of water.

k. The heads of such other functional departments that may be established or created to provide services required in the efficient and effective administration and operation of the municipal government, and to meet requirements imposed by state or federal regulations and rules, whether such new department is created by the abolition of an existing department or departments, the consolidation of two or more departments into one department or by the creation of a completely new department or departments. Any proposed increase or decrease in the number of city departments shall be initiated by the city governing body and shall become effective when approved by the personnel board.

(6) DIRECTOR. The personnel director herein created.

(7) EMPLOYEE. A person in the classified service herein set up and appointed by the appointing authority, unless herein expressly excepted.

(8) EMPLOYMENT REGISTER. Typewritten lists containing the names of those applicants who have successfully passed mental tests for initial employment within the classified service for any specific position and which names are listed in the order of final grades attained on such tests from the highest grade attained to the lowest grade attained.

(9) EXAMINATION. Physical fitness evaluation to include annual or other physical examinations, physical fitness examinations, final physical examinations, or any other type of physical examinations as prescribed by the personnel board or the director to determine the physical fitness of initial applicants for employment within the classified service and the physical fitness of classified employees now assigned, to qualify physically for the positions they now occupy or expect to occupy within the classified service.

(10) MASCULINE GENDER. Comprehends all other genders.

(11) PROMOTIONAL REGISTER. Typewritten lists containing the names of those classified employees, presently assigned, who have successfully passed mental tests for promotion to higher positions within the classified service and which names are listed in the order of final grades attained on such tests from the highest grade attained to the lowest grade attained.

(12) PUBLIC HEARING. A meeting of the board open to the public, where any citizen, taxpayer, or other interested party may appear and be heard, subject to the duly adopted rules and regulations.

(13) PUBLIC RECORD. A record which the members of the public shall have the right to inspect, within reason and during ordinary business hours.

(14) ROSTER. A typewritten list showing the names of persons employed in the classified service by departments and the position occupied by each employee concerned.

(15) RULES AND REGULATIONS. A prescribed course of procedure adopted by the board to promote the administration of this part and the system hereby created.

(16) TESTS. Written, oral, or other methods of evaluation established by the board or director, to determine the merit, aptitude, knowledge of the job, and general qualifications, other than physical, of applicants to fill initial positions within the classified service, or for the promotion of those classified employees presently assigned to higher positions within the classified service, or for the purpose of reclassification or transfer of such employees into new or existing positions within the classified service.