(a) On September 30, 1997, or upon occurrence of a vacancy in either the office of tax assessor or tax collector, there shall be a county Revenue Commissioner in Franklin County. A commissioner shall be elected at the general election in 1996 and at the general election every six years thereafter, who shall serve for a term of six years beginning on the first day of October next after his or her election, and until his or her successor is elected and has qualified.

(b) The county revenue commissioner shall do and perform all acts, duties, and functions required by law to be performed either by the tax assessor or by the tax collector of the county relative to the assessment of property for taxation, the collection of taxes, the issuance of motor vehicle licenses and title, the keeping of records, and the making of reports concerning assessment for and the collection of taxes and the issuance of motor vehicle licenses and titles.

(c) Subject to the approval of the county commission, the county revenue commissioner shall appoint and fix the duties and compensation of a sufficient number of deputies, clerks, and assistants to perform properly the duties of his or her office. The acts of deputies shall have the same force and legal effect as if performed by the county revenue commissioner.

(d) Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, the county revenue commissioner shall take the oath of office prescribed by Article XVI of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, and execute a bond in such sum as may be fixed by Section 40-5-3 for tax collectors in Alabama, giving as security thereon a bonding company authorized to do business in Alabama. The bond shall be conditioned as other official bonds are conditioned and shall be approved by and filed with the judge of probate. The cost of the bond required herein shall be paid out of the general funds of the county on warrant of the county commission, and shall be a preferred claim against the county.

(e) The county commission shall provide the necessary offices for the county revenue commissioner, and shall provide all stationery, equipment, and office supplies, not otherwise furnished by law, needed for the efficient performance of the duties of the office.

(f) The county revenue commissioner shall collect and pay into the general fund of the county all fees, percentages, commissions, and other allowances which the tax assessor or the tax collector of the county are now or hereafter may be by law authorized and directed to charge or collect for the performance of any duty hereby imposed on the county revenue commissioner. As compensation for the performance of the duties of his or her office, the county revenue commissioner shall receive an annual salary as provided by law, payable in equal monthly installments out of the general fund of the county.

(g) The offices of the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector of Franklin County are hereby abolished effective the first day of October 1997, or upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of tax assessor or tax collector. In the event that the office of tax assessor or tax collector becomes vacant before October 1, 1997, the office of county revenue commissioner shall immediately come into being, and the remaining officer, tax assessor or tax collector, as the case may be, shall immediately assume the duties of the office of county revenue commissioner and shall perform such duties until a county revenue commissioner has been elected as provided herein. For the performance of such duties, he or she shall be entitled to the salary herein above prescribed for the county revenue commissioner.

(h) It is the purpose of this section to promote the public convenience in Franklin County by consolidating the offices of tax assessor and tax collector into one office.