(a) The annual salary of the Commissioner shall be as provided in Code Sections 45-7-3 and 45-7-4. The Commissioner shall be entitled to reimbursement of expenses as provided by Code Section 45-7-20.

(b) The Commissioner is authorized to employ personnel for the department, to prescribe their duties, and to fix the compensation of such personnel; provided, however, that such personnel who are under the State Merit System of Personnel Administration shall be compensated under the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.