Credit for prior service with private industry council or regional workforce development board.

(b) Any employee of a regional workforce development board which has voted to participate in this part shall receive credit for the purposes of retirement under the provisions of this part for the period of his service with such board when such board was not participating under the provisions of this part upon payment to the Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund of a sum equal to that which he would have paid had such service been covered by the provisions of this part, provided such sum is paid within one year of the date of such board's first participation in this part.