The governing body of any local governmental entity in this state may provide for any public employee of the entity who is called into active service in the Armed Forces of the United States during the war on terrorism which commenced in September 2001, to receive from his or her employer compensation in an amount which is equal to the difference between the lower active duty military pay and the higher public employment salary which he or she would have received if not called to active service. The amount of compensation which may be paid under this section to a local public employee called into active service may be paid for a period as determined by the local governing body under rules and regulations for processing claims for and payments of the compensation promulgated and implemented by the local governing body.