There must be employed within the Department of Health and Environmental Control an executive assistant to the council. The executive assistant must be appointed by the director of the department with the advice and consent of the council. The executive assistant is charged with the preparation of the three-year service plan and other duties and responsibilities established by the director and the council from time to time. The salaries of the executive assistant to the council, and other staff and clerical personnel employed by the department and assigned to execute the functions of the council and every other cost or disbursement for accomplishment of the functions of the council must be paid from sums appropriated by the General Assembly to the department.