When any person is employed by the south coast district, whose immediate prior employer was the Southern California Air Pollution Control District, for the purpose of, but not limited to, retirement benefits, salary rates, seniority, and all fringe benefits, all his time of employment with that district, and his time of employment, if any, with the county, a county district, or both, whose authority, functions, and responsibilities have been assumed by that district if such employment was immediately prior to employment with the Southern California Air Pollution Control District, shall be considered as time of employment with the south coast district.

Upon transfer to the south coast district, employees shall retain all their accumulated sick leave, vacation, and retirement benefits.