PRIOR SERVICE CREDIT FOR PROBATIONARY EMPLOYMENT

(a) The governing body of a participating municipality which prior to September 1, 1989, engaged persons beginning work with the municipality on a probationary basis for a specified period and consequently did not enroll the person as a member of the system until the probationary period expired may by ordinance allow prior service credit for service performed during the period of probationary employment (not exceeding six months) with the municipality. (b) After the retirement system receives a copy of a municipality's ordinance described by Subsection (a), the retirement system shall furnish to the municipality a report containing the names of employees who, according to the retirement system's records, are eligible to receive prior service credit for probationary employment. (c) As soon as practicable after the municipality receives a report under Subsection (b), the municipality shall verify the information in the report and certify to the retirement system the number of months of probationary employment to which each employee listed on the report appears to be entitled and the average monthly compensation paid to the member during the period of probationary employment. (d) The certification by the municipality must be received by the retirement system not later than the first anniversary of the effective date of the ordinance allowing the credit. After receiving the certification from the municipality described by Subsection (c), the board of trustees shall determine the prior service credit allowable to the member in the manner provided in Section 853.105.