The board shall have complete control of the municipal electric distribution system of such municipality and shall have authority to employ, upon terms to be fixed by the board, but in no event for a term exceeding one year, and to discharge with or without cause, managers, cashiers, clerks, stenographers, attorneys, linemen, repairmen, laborers, and such other employees as are necessary for the operation of such municipal electric distribution system, except that in those cities where public employees are governed by a citywide civil service or merit system all of such managers, cashiers, clerks, stenographers, linemen, repairmen, laborers, and such other employees as are necessary for the operation of such system shall in all respects, both as to selection, employment, discharge, tenure of office, or employment and as to pay, promotion, demotion, and in all other respects covered by said civil service or merit system, be governed and controlled by said civil service or merit system, anything in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding. It shall have the power and authority and it shall be its duty to charge for and collect all accounts due for any service which the municipal electric distribution system may furnish to its customers, upon rates to be provided and approved by the governing body of such municipality. The board shall have the right to delegate to any manager which it may employ the authority to employ and discharge employees which may be needed; to direct their work and to manage, control, and operate the municipal electric distribution system and to account to the board for his acts in so doing, but his authority shall be restricted as the authority of the board is restricted in this chapter.