(a) The General Assembly shall make appropriations to the retirement system sufficient to provide for the employer contributions required by subsection (b) of Code Section 47-4-60 and to otherwise carry out this chapter.

(b) The board shall establish an expense fund to which shall be credited the funds provided by appropriations of the General Assembly in order to pay the administrative expense of the retirement system and from which shall be paid all expenses incurred in the administration and operation of the retirement system.

(c) The appropriations provided for in this Code section may be made by the general or supplemental appropriations Acts adopted by the General Assembly but no employer or employee contributions to the retirement system shall be made prior to the commencement date. Appropriated funds may be expended prior to the commencement date, pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section, in order to pay the expenses of setting up and beginning operation of the retirement system prior to that date.