The governing bodies of each of the counties of this state shall provide the tax assessor, tax collector, revenue commissioner, license commissioner or such other official charged with assessing and collecting ad valorem taxes with such office personnel, clerks, and deputies, and such quarters, books, stationery, furniture, equipment, and other such conveniences and supplies as may be necessary for the proper and efficient conduct of such offices. The compensation of any personnel so provided shall be fixed by said governing body and shall be paid in equal installments out of the general fund of the county. Notwithstanding the Alabama Ethics Act, any employees working in such offices prior to the passage of such act may be continued as employees in such offices by the county governing body. All employees in such offices in counties which operate a merit system for county employees shall automatically become participants in such system.