§ 102-a. Deputy county superintendent. The county superintendent of any county or the county engineer thereof appointed by any other law to perform the duties of county superintendent, with the approval of the board of supervisors, may appoint a deputy county superintendent or engineer, as the case may be, for such period or periods as the board of supervisors may determine, but limited to the term of office for which such superintendent or engineer was appointed with power and authority in the county superintendent or engineer to terminate such appointment at his pleasure. Such deputy shall act for and have all the powers and duties of such superintendent or engineer during his inability to act as such superintendent or engineer or during the regular or approved vacation period of such superintendent or engineer.

In the event that such county superintendent or county engineer shall not appoint a deputy as provided herein, prior to or within thirty days after such inability to act shall occur, the board of supervisors may make such appointment for the period of such disability during the term of office of such superintendent or engineer, and such appointee shall thereafter continue in office for such period as the board of supervisors may determine, but within the limitation of time as hereinbefore mentioned.

The board of supervisors shall, in any event, determine the amount of such deputy's bond and fix his salary and provide for the payment of all the necessary expenses incurred while in the performance of his duties, which salary and expenses shall be a charge against the county road fund, and may remove him from office for such causes and in the same manner as provided for the removal of a county superintendent or engineer.

The provisions of law not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, applicable to the powers, duties, conduct, appointment and removal of county superintendents or engineers shall be applicable hereto.