When an employee is demoted, except for demotions pursuant to the reallocation of a position to a class with a lower grade, or as set forth in Subsection (c), hereof, the rate within the salary range applicable to the position to which the employee is demoted shall be established by the Director of Human Resources Management in accordance with the Salary Plan and applicable personnel procedures. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall an employee's salary rate, upon demotion, be established at a rate below the entry level rate or above the highest salary rate within the salary range applicable to the position to which the employee is demoted. In the case of any nondisciplinary demotion, upon written request of the appointing authority, the salary reduction otherwise required by this Section shall be determined by the Director of Human Resources Management, subject to the limitations of Subsection (b) and applicable personnel procedures.