1. The municipal council of any municipality having a population of more than 270,000 according to the most recent federal decennial census which, prior to January 9, 1982 had adopted the form of government designated as “Mayor-Council Plan C” provided for in article 5 of P.L.1950, c.210 (C. 40:69A-55 et seq.), may appoint an executive secretary and not more than four fulltime equivalent aides for each council member, who shall serve, and be removable at the pleasure of the council member, and who shall serve in the unclassified service of the civil service of the city and shall receive such salary as shall be fixed by ordinance . Each fulltime aide position may be divided into two part-time aide positions, which shall be considered the equivalent of one fulltime aide, allowing not more than eight total part-time aides or four total fulltime aides. Each council member may appoint both fulltime and part-time aides and shall appoint not more than four fulltime equivalent aides. Persons appointed pursuant to this section may have their salaries increased on a periodic basis in accordance with the recommendation in an annual merit evaluation for each aide, to be filed with the municipal clerk by the council members, but not in excess of the average percentage increase granted to other municipal employees in the same period.

The municipal council of any municipality having a population of more than 200,000, but less than 270,000, according to the most recent federal decennial censuswhich, prior to January 9, 1982, had adopted the form of government designated as “Mayor-Council Plan C” provided for in article 5 of P.L.1950, c.210 (C. 40:69A-55 et seq.) may appoint not more than one fulltime equivalent aide for each council member, who shall serve, and be removable at the pleasure of the council member, and who shall serve in the unclassified service of the civil service of the city and shall receive a salary as shall be fixed by ordinance .Each fulltime aide position may be divided into two part-time aide positions, which shall be considered the equivalent of one fulltime aide, allowing not more than two total part-time aides or one total fulltime aide.

A person who is employed as a part-time aide pursuant to this section shall not be eligible to receive health benefits coverage under a health benefits plan provided by the municipality.

No municipality shall adopt the provisions of this section on or after October 26, 1985.

L.1973, c.89, s.1; amended 1979, c.469; 1981, c.465, s.42; 1985, c.159, s.2; 1989, c.221, s.4; 1993, c.40; 1994, c.116; 2019, c.180.