(a)(1) The governing body of the county or a municipality, or the head of any department or office, can remove, discharge, or demote any merit employee who is directly under such governing body, or department head, provided that within five days a report in writing of such action is made to the board, giving the reason for such removal, discharge, or demotion. The employee shall have 10 days from the time of his or her notification of his or her removal, discharge, or demotion in which to appeal to the board. If such appeal is filed, the board shall thereupon order the charges or complaint to be filed forthwith in writing, if not already filed, and shall hold a hearing de novo on such charges. No merit employee shall be removed, discharged, or demoted except for some personal misconduct, or fact, rendering his or her further tenure harmful to the public interest, or for some cause affecting or concerning his or her fitness or ability; and if such removal, discharge, or demotion is appealed to the board, then the same shall become final only upon affirmation by the board after a hearing upon written charges or complaint has been had and after an opportunity has been given such employee to face his or her accusers and be heard in his or her own defense. Pending a hearing on the appeal, the affected employee may be suspended; and after such hearing the board may order the employee reinstated, demoted, removed, discharged, or suspended, or take such other disciplinary action as in their judgment is warranted by the evidence and under the law. In all cases, the decision of the board shall be reduced to writing and entered in the record of the case and shall include the board's findings of facts upon which its decision is based.

(2) The board shall have the power to administer oaths, take depositions, certify official acts, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of papers necessary as evidence in connection with any hearing, investigation, or proceeding within the purview of this subpart. The sheriff or some other law enforcement officer of the county shall serve all processes of the board. In case a person refuses to obey a subpoena, the board may invoke the aid of the Circuit Court of Marion County, Alabama, in order that the testimony or evidence be produced. Upon proper showing, the court shall issue a subpoena or order requiring the person to appear before the board and produce all evidence and give all testimony relating to the matter in issue. A person who fails to obey such subpoena or order may be punished by the court as for contempt. The fees of witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as fees for witnesses in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Alabama, which fees shall be paid from the treasury of the county in a case involving an employee of the sheriff's department or from the treasury of the municipality in a case involving an employee of the police or fire department of a municipality.

(b) In all proceedings before the board, the county attorney of Marion County or the attorney for the appointing authority that is removing, discharging, demoting, or firing the employee shall appear before the board and prosecute all charges instituted by the sheriff or the governmental entity when requested or directed to do so and give any legal advice and legal assistance to the board as may be requested of it.

(c) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the board may appeal the decision to the Circuit Court of Marion County within 30 days from the rendition of the decision by the board. Review by the circuit court shall be without a jury and be confined to the record, and a determination of the questions of law presented. The board's findings of fact shall be final and conclusive. (Act 80–88, p. 111, § 14.)