The commission may engage the services of volunteer workers and consultants without salary as they may find necessary from time to time and may engage other workers and consultants in accordance with the laws of the county subject to budget appropriations to assist it in carrying out its duties. Services of an individual as a volunteer worker or consultant for the commission shall not be considered as service of employment bringing such individual within any merit system of the county or the state. (1972 L.M.C., ch. 22, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 30, § 13.)