Sec. 84.021. ASSISTANTS. (a) From time to time the county auditor may certify to the district judges a list stating the number of assistants to be appointed, the name, duties, qualifications, and experience of each appointee, and the salary to be paid each appointee. The district judges, after careful consideration of the application for the appointment of the assistants and after inquiry concerning the appointees' qualifications, the positions sought to be filled, and the reasonableness of the requested salaries, shall prepare a list of the appointees that the judges approve and the salary to be paid each. The judges shall certify this list to the commissioners court, which shall order the salaries to be paid on the performance of services and shall appropriate an adequate amount of money for this purpose.

(b) If an emergency exists, the county auditor shall recommend the appointment of temporary assistants, and after a hearing held in accordance with Section 152.905, the district judges shall determine the number, salaries, and duration of employment of the assistants.

(c) An assistant must take the usual oath of office for faithful performance of duty. The county auditor may require an assistant to give a bond and may determine the terms of the bond. The bond must run in favor of the county and the county auditor as their interests indicate. The county shall pay for the bond.

(d) If only one assistant is appointed, the assistant, during the absence or unavoidable detention of the county auditor, may perform the duties required by law of the county auditor. If more than one assistant is appointed, the county auditor may designate the assistant to perform those duties during the absence or unavoidable detention of the county auditor.

(e) The county auditor may discharge an assistant. The district judges approving an appointment have the right annually to withdraw the approval and change the number of assistants permitted.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1169, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.