Any person holding an office or position in the classified service of the city under any civil service or merit system applicable to the city when the mayor/commission/city manager form of government is adopted shall continue as such officer or employee in the classified service of the city under the mayor/commission/city manager form of government and with the same status, rights, and privileges and subject to the same conditions under such applicable civil service or merit system as if the mayor/commission/city manager form of government had not been adopted.