EMPLOYEES.

(a) The utility commission and the executive director of the commission, subject to approval, as applicable, by the utility commission or the commission, shall employ any engineering, accounting, and administrative personnel necessary to carry out each agency's powers and duties under this chapter.

(b) The executive director and the commission's staff are responsible for the gathering of information relating to all matters within the jurisdiction of the commission under this subchapter. The utility commission and the utility commission's staff are responsible for the gathering of information relating to all matters within the jurisdiction of the utility commission under this subchapter. The duties of the utility commission, the executive director, and the staff of the utility commission or commission, as appropriate, include:

(1) accumulation of evidence and other information from water and sewer utilities, from the utility commission or commission, as appropriate, and the governing body of the respective agency, and from other sources for the purposes specified by this chapter;

(2) preparation and presentation of evidence before the utility commission or commission, as appropriate, or its appointed examiner in proceedings;

(3) conducting investigations of water and sewer utilities under the jurisdiction of the utility commission or commission, as appropriate;

(4) preparation of recommendations that the utility commission or commission, as appropriate, undertake an investigation of any matter within its jurisdiction;

(5) preparation of recommendations and a report for inclusion in the annual report of the utility commission or commission, as appropriate;

(6) protection and representation of the public interest before the utility commission or commission, as appropriate; and

(7) other activities that are reasonably necessary to enable the utility commission and the executive director and the staff of the utility commission or commission, as appropriate, to perform their duties.