Beginning with calendar year 2015 and each year thereafter, on January 15 and July 15 of each year, the department shall pay to the Mississippi circuit clerks an amount equal to half of the yearly average amount paid for the three (3) fiscal year periods ending June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013, to each county for the enrollment, reenrollment, and/or release of the tax liens under this chapter. The payment shall be used for the service provided to citizens that request assistance from circuit clerks for researching and providing lien information, whether such information is on the lien registry or included in historical documents. The clerks shall report the number of citizens assisted to the department on or before June 30 of each year. The commissioner is authorized to pay the clerks out of funds appropriated by the Legislature to defray expenses of the department.