(a)(1) The Coroner of Elmore County shall receive a total compensation of seven hundred eighty-four dollars ($784) per month to be paid out of the county general fund on a monthly basis.

(2) The Elmore County Commission may adjust the salary and benefits of the coroner by resolution.

(3) This subsection validates salary and benefits paid to the Coroner of Elmore County retroactive to January I, 1995; however, it does not authorize payments in addition to those received by the Coroner of Elmore County prior to June 18, 1999.

(b) With prior approval by the county commission, the commission is authorized to reimburse the county coroner for actual expenses incurred in the operation of his or her office and further may pay the coroner for actual mileage in an amount not to exceed the amount paid to other county employees in the performance of their duties. The provisions of this subsection shall be retroactive to January 20, 1991.

(c) The coroner may appoint a chief deputy coroner to serve in his or her absence and may also appoint deputy coroners from among deputy sheriffs with the consent of the sheriff. The county commission may, by resolution, provide for the payment of expenses to the chief deputy coroner and deputy coroners. Provided, however, deputy sheriffs acting as deputy coroners during their normal duty hours shall not receive additional compensation. The coroner shall furnish to the county commission a proposed budget for operating expenses for each fiscal year prior to each October 1.