“ Compensation Plan ” means the salaries established by ordinance for the several classes of positions recognized in the Classification Plan, so that all positions of a given class or pay grade will be paid the same salary or according to the same salary range established for the class or pay grade. (q) “ Compensation ” means the salary, wage, allowances, and all other forms of valuable consideration, earned by or paid to any employee by reason of service in any position, but does not include any allowances for expenses authorized and incurred as incidents to employment. (r) “ Appointing Authority ” means any person or group of persons, including any Board, Commission, General Manager, or other officer having the power by law or ordinance, to make an appointment to any position in a specified department of the City of Los Angeles. (s) “ Department Personnel Ordinance ” means the ordinance or ordinances passed by the City Council authorizing the employment of a specified number of personnel in each class and setting up the class codes and titles applicable therefor in the respective departments, bureaus and offices of the City, such classes, class codes and titles being named and listed in the salary standardization ordinance. (t) “ Continuous Service ” means service without break or interruption during which the employee has been employed by the City. In computing continuous service for the purpose of this chapter, neither military leaves nor leaves of absence on account of illness, whether with or without pay, shall be construed as a break or interruption of service. Other absences or suspensions, aggregating in excess of ninety (90) days in any period of twelve (12) months, including layoffs on account of lack of work, lack of funds, or abolishment of positions, shall be construed as breaking “ continuous service. ” For purposes of determining eligibility for military leave with pay as provided in Sections 4.123 and 4.175 of this Code, service in the recognized military service prior to employment with the City shall be counted as “continuous service”.