(a) Certification.--Council shall notify the civil service board of a civil service vacancy in the city which is to be filled by promotion and shall request the certification of an eligibility list as provided in this chapter. For each vacancy, the board shall certify the names of three individuals on the eligibility list who have received the highest average in the last preceding promotional examination held within the period of two years preceding the date of the request for the eligibility list. If three names are not available, the board shall certify the names remaining on the list. Council shall make an appointment from the names certified based solely on the merits and fitness of the candidates unless council makes objections to the board regarding one or more of the individuals on the eligibility list. Council shall have power to determine whether an increase in salary shall constitute a promotion.

(b) Additional powers.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the mayor or other elected or appointed official of a city that has adopted one of the following shall retain the power to promote a candidate pursuant to that law:

(1) An optional charter pursuant to the act of July 15, 1957 (P.L.901, No.399), known as the Optional Third Class City Charter Law.

(2) An optional plan pursuant to 53 Pa.C.S. Chs. 30 (relating to types of optional plans of government) and 31 (relating to general provisions common to optional plans).

(3) Any other law authorizing or permitting the mayor or other elected or appointed official to promote a candidate.

(c) Exceptions.--The provisions of this section shall not apply to the mayor's designation or appointment of the chief of police pursuant to section 12002 (relating to designation of chief) or the mayor's designation or appointment of a fire chief pursuant to section 12101.1 (relating to appointment and demotion of fire chief).

Cross References. Section 14406.1 is referred to in section 14406 of this title.