Said board shall have the right to employ an executive director who shall have charge of the office of said board and who shall be present and in attendance at all proper business hours. Such executive director shall take an oath of office before the court to the effect that he will honestly and faithfully perform all the duties of such office, under the direction of said board, which shall be preserved in the same way, and he shall be under the direction of said board, and he shall have the right to administer all oaths required under this act to be administered by either of said commissioners. The board shall have the right to employ an independent external auditor who shall assist the board and the circuit court in reviewing and approving all financial expenditures of the board. The board may employ an attorney who shall advise and represent such board in all cases where the advice or services of an attorney are necessary. Such additional assistance may be employed by said board from time to time, as may be necessary, with the consent and approval previously entered of record by said court or which may afterwards be approved by such court.