The governing bodies of the county and municipality and any officer in whom is vested by law the power to make transfers, promotions, demotions, reinstatements, layoffs, and to suspend or dismiss employees, shall retain such power, subject to this subpart and the rules established hereunder, it being the intent and spirit of this subpart to provide a fair and just approach to county and municipal employment in order that employees may be selected and promoted on a merit basis, but in no sense to impair the efficiency of the public service.
Ala. Code § 45-51A-32.118 (1975)