The city is committed to treating each employee and job applicant in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner. Any appointment to or removal from a regular position in the competitive service or any term or condition of employment shall not be affected or influenced in any manner by any consideration of race, religious creed, color, natural origin, ancestry, handicap, mental condition, marital status, sex, age or veteran status, as defined under applicable state or federal law.² (Ord. 1599 NCS §2, 1985; Ord. 837 NCS §1; prior code §2.102.)