As part of the appointive employees’ performance management and compensation plan, the human resources department shall establish and maintain an appointive employee performance review and development process. This process shall include a performance review form that defines required job performance characteristics and qualitatively differentiates levels of job performance. The performance review form may be used as one of the evaluation tools for salary increases, although its primary purpose is to initiate communication about the employee’s performance and the supervisor’s expectations. Step progression performance appraisals will be completed annually during the month of September for employees who have been employed for at least the previous six consecutive months. Supervisors will schedule initial goal setting meetings with their appointive employees in November or December to communicate expectations for the upcoming year. Supervisors should also meet with their employees at least one other time during the year to check the employees’ progress. (Ord. 2494-00 § 1.9, 2000.)