The board may appoint, employ, or contract for the services of attorneys, consultants, advisers, and such other experts as they deem necessary, and shall authorize the appointment or employment by the general manager of such assistants, deputies, and other appointees and employees as may be deemed necessary by the board to carry out the purposes of this article, and the board shall determine the duties and compensation, or basis of compensation, of all such persons.
Ca. Pub. Res. Code § 5556