(1) Whenever the comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to KRS Chapter 67A requires the implementation of a merit or civil service system for the employees of an urban- county government, such system shall be implemented by the urban-county government so as to guarantee the substantive and procedural rights possessed by any employee of a government in existence within the boundaries of the urban- county prior to the effective date of merger.
(2) During the time a merit or civil service system is being implemented, pursuant to the requirements of a comprehensive plan, all procedural and substantive rights possessed by any employee of a government in existence within the boundaries of the urban-county prior to the effective date of merger shall be protected.
(3) Any urban-county government created after December 31, 1987, shall be exempt from the provisions of KRS 67A.210 to 67A.350.