The council hires an executive director and determines the director's salary. The executive director shall serve as the executive officer for the council in the accomplishment of its functions through the Legislative Affairs Agency. The executive director serves at the direction and at the pleasure of the council. The executive director is authorized to employ and determine the compensation of the members of the professional and clerical staffs of the agency within the limitation of the budget approved by the council. The executive director and the members of the professional staff shall maintain the integrity of the council's functions and services on behalf of the legislative branch by refraining from joining or supporting any partisan political organization, faction, or activity that would tend to undermine the essential nonpartisan nature of their functions and services. However, this section does not restrict the executive director or members of the professional staff from expressing private opinion, registering, or voting.