The council has the power to subpoena witnesses, to take testimony under oath, and to assemble records and documents, by subpoena duces tecum or otherwise, with the same power and authority as courts of record, and may apply to courts of record for the enforcement of these powers. The sheriff of any county shall serve any subpoena on written order of the council in the same manner as process is served in civil actions. Witnesses subpoenaed to appear before the council shall receive the same fees and expenses as witnesses in civil cases.