If a majority of the voters voting on the question at such election favor the replacement by the appointive office of county director of finance, the board of supervisors shall appoint the incumbent county auditor as the first director of finance of the county. Thereafter appointments to the office shall be made by the board of supervisors on the basis of merit and fitness according to civil service rules and regulations. The director of finance may be removed or suspended for cause as provided in the civil service rules and regulations.