§ 22-49. Same—Duties and functions enumerated.

[The duties and functions of the civil service board shall be as follows:]

(1)

To hear appeals from any civil service employee who claims to have been improperly suspended, demoted, discharged, unlawfully discriminated against, or improperly dismissed or adversely affected pursuant to a reduction-in-force. The board's authority regarding an appeal by an employee who claims he or she was dismissed or adversely affected due to a reduction-in-force shall be limited to whether the action was in fact due to shortage of work, shortage of funds, abolishment of a position, or other material changes in duties or organization to reduce the overall staff of the organization. In conducting hearings and rendering decisions, the board shall determine whether the appointing authority, department head or person whose action is being appealed had authority to exercise such action and did exercise such action for cause within the rules and standards of the civil service board. If so found, the board shall affirm the action of the appointing authority, department head or person. In the event that the board finds that the action appealed is contrary to the rules and standards of the civil service board, the board shall reverse such an action. The board shall not modify the terms and conditions of said action of the person, appointing authority or department head, but may in its order of affirmance or reversal make recommendations of disposition which shall have persuasive force only. In addition, the board may recommend amendments to the rules and standards of the civil service board to the governing authority so as to carry forth purposes of such recommended disposition, and when such rules and standards have been approved and adopted by the governing authority of Cobb County, they shall be binding upon all parties affected by the civil service.

(2)

The civil service board shall keep and maintain an accurate record of minutes and shall be furnished clerical assistance by the governing authority to keep and maintain its minutes and records.

(3)

Said board shall be authorized to make recommendations as to amendments, additions to, and changes in said rules and standards of the civil service board from time to time and when said amendments, changes, or additions are adopted by the governing authority of Cobb County, said amendments shall be binding on all parties affected by the civil service.

(4)

Unlawful discrimination shall mean different treatment with respect to an employee's compensation, terms, and conditions and privileges of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or other protected class as established by applicable state or federal law. If an appeal is filed by an employee on the basis of unlawful discrimination, such appeal must include date, time, place, name, and specific act of unlawful discrimination.

(5)

The board shall have no authority to review or pass upon the budget or proposed budget of Cobb County, as all fiscal affairs are reserved to the discretion of the governing authority of Cobb County.

(1964 Ga. Laws (Act No. 733), page 2502, § 6; Res. of 11-9-76, §§ 3—5; 1977 Ga. Laws (Act No. 392), page 3208, §§ 4, 5; Ord. of 11-26-96, § 6)