Ala. Code § 45-49A-81.18
Any employee of the City of Prichard at the original date of this part could elect at any time not to come within the provisions of this part, and should he or she so elect, no part of his or her salary or compensation could be deducted for the pension and relief fund. His or her election to not come within this part must have been in writing, signed by him or her, witnessed by two reliable witnesses, and filed with the City Council of the City of Prichard or the board of pensions. Thereafter, such person shall not be allowed to come within the provisions of or be entitled to any benefit under this part, unless he or she first makes application to the authorities and authorities approve such application. He or she shall not be credited for services during the time which he or she elected not to come within the provisions hereof; provided, however, under the terms of this part if such delayed application is to be effective on or before January 1, 1964, and the employee contributes to the fund before that date (or within such reasonable limit of time as may be granted by the board of pensions or the City Council of the City of Prichard as the case may be) the amount of contributions he or she would have made to the fund had he or she elected to come under this part as of its effective date, increased by interest compounded annually at four percent per annum, such employee shall be entitled to credit for continuous service from the date of his or her original employment, provided he or she otherwise complies with this part. In any such case, the city shall contribute an amount double to that contributed by the employee, including the interest. All persons employed after August 15, 1963, shall be bound by all of the provisions hereof.
Ala. Code § 45-49A-81.18 (1975)