(a) Through an annual appropriation at sufficient level for operation, Phillips County shall provide at the county's expense the office expenses under § 16-21-602(a) in such amount of no less than thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) per year as appropriated by the quorum court and approved by the county judge.
(b)
(1) The office expenses under § 16-21-602(a) shall be paid in equal monthly installments from the county general fund, and the checks shall be made payable to the office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the First Judicial District or as directed by the prosecuting attorney.
(2) Disbursements shall be made by the prosecuting attorney for the necessary expenses of the office based upon adequate documentation.
(c) The prosecuting attorney may also be allowed additional office expenses upon appropriation of the quorum court and approval of the county judge.
(d)
(1) In addition to office expenses, the prosecuting attorney shall be entitled to one (1) secretary and administrative assistant, whose salary shall not be less than twenty-eight thousand dollars ($28,000) per year.
(2) The salary, Social Security, matching, retirement, health insurance, and all related salary expenses of the secretary and administrative assistant shall be paid by Phillips County in accordance with the pay periods and payroll policy of Phillips County.
(e) This section does not prohibit the quorum court in Phillips County from appropriating additional positions, salaries, or expenses greater than the amounts mandated in this section.
(f) The prosecuting attorney shall be allowed additional assistants and employees in Phillips County upon appropriation of the quorum court and approval of the county judge.
(g) The expenses required to be paid by this section are specifically declared to be separate and distinct from the responsibility of Phillips County to pay the contingent expense allowance of the prosecuting attorney as provided in § 16-21-601 and § 16-21-119(b)(5)(A), and as otherwise provided by law.