Alabama Code Title 45. Local Laws § 45-8A-130.08

The board shall have power to make rules and regulations governing examination, eligible registers, appointments, transfers, salaries, promotions, demotions, annual and sick leave, and such other matters as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this part. A rule or regulation may be made effective only after a public hearing is held on the proposal thereof and after a certified copy thereof has been filed with the city clerk. All employees shall be appointed upon a nonpartisan merit basis. There shall not be appointed, and the board shall not examine, any person who is not a citizen of the United States. The board shall:  (1) Classify the different types of services to be performed in the service of the city;  (2) with the approval of the appointing authority, fix a maximum and minimum salary for each class;  and (3) allocate each position in the service to its proper class. It shall provide for the periodic rating of employees according to their merit to determine whether they are maintaining standards of service. The board shall establish rules and regulations governing dismissals, suspensions, layoffs, terminations, and leaves of absence, and the severance of any employee's relationship with the city shall be in accordance with such regulations.