The planning commission shall, subject to approval of the city council, have the power and authority to employ a planning engineer and secretary, clerks and such necessary technical and professional advisors and services as may be deemed necessary, including the authority to make such contracts as it shall deem advisable with other planning agencies authorized by the statutes of the state; provided, that the total amount of funds so expended and the obligations incurred by the city in any one fiscal year for such purposes shall not exceed the appropriation for the use of the planning commission. (1991 Code § 1-1057)