The judge of the juvenile court shall have the authority to appoint clerks and any other personnel necessary for the execution of the purposes of this chapter. The compensation of the employees shall be fixed by the judge, with the approval of the governing authority of the county. The salaries of the employees shall be paid out of county funds. All appointments shall be made from eligible lists secured from the local merit boards in those counties where such boards exist or from lists established by competitive examinations conducted by the court. The appointment, salary, tenure, and all other conditions of employment of the employees shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the merit system in operation or such rules and regulations as are established by the court. Any employee of the court may be removed for cause by the judge of the court, the reasons therefor to be assigned in writing.