(a) The clerk of the peace, Sheriff, Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills in New Castle County each may select and employ 1 chief deputy who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officeholder. The provisions of this section shall not authorize any elected officeholder to increase the number of employees in any of the several county offices.
(b) The compensation to be paid the chief deputy shall be set by the appointing officeholder. However, the compensation shall not exceed the salary set by statute for the officeholder, except that the salary of the Sheriff's chief deputy shall not exceed the highest salary set pursuant to this subsection.