(a) The office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the Third Judicial District shall receive not less than a contingent expense reimbursement for the expenses of his or her office, including, but not limited to, telephone, telegraph, postage, printing, office supplies and equipment, office rent, stationery, traveling expense, special service, operation of automobiles, and such other expense which, within the discretion of the prosecuting attorney, may be a proper expense of the office, and also including necessary expenses in connection with any proper investigation incident to any criminal law violation or trials before any grand jury or any court within the judicial district coming within the duties of his or her office.

(b) The expenses provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall be borne by the counties constituting the Third Judicial District as follows:

(1) Jackson ..................… $6,250 per year;

(2) Lawrence ..................… $6,250 per year;

(3) Randolph ..................… $6,250 per year; and

(4) Sharp ..................… $6,250 per year.

(c)

(1) The expenses provided for shall be paid in equal quarterly installments from each county general fund, and the checks shall be made payable to the office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the Third Judicial District.

(2) Disbursements shall be made by the prosecuting attorney for the necessary expenses of the office based upon adequate documentation.

(d)

(1) Each deputy prosecuting attorney of the Third Judicial District shall receive a reimbursement for the expenses of his or her office, including, but not limited to, maintenance and operation, capital outlay, office supplies, telephone, postage, copying, insurance, and library.

(2)

(A) Disbursements shall be made for the necessary expenses of the office based upon adequate documentation and upon appropriation of the respective county's quorum court and approval of each respective county judge.

(B) The prosecuting attorney or deputies may also be allowed additional expenses upon appropriation of the quorum court and approval of each respective county judge.

(e) The Prosecuting Attorney of the Third Judicial District shall be entitled to the following assistants and employees:

(1) (A) (i) One (1) administrative assistant, whose salary shall not be less than twenty-four thousand five hundred dollars ($24,500) per annum.

(ii) The salary is to be paid in accordance with the pay periods and payroll policy of Jackson County.

(B)

(i) In addition to the salary, Social Security, matching retirement, insurance, and all related salary expenses shall be paid by Jackson County.

(ii) The counties of Lawrence, Randolph, and Sharp each shall reimburse Jackson County for a pro rata share of the salary, Social Security, matching retirement, insurance, and all related salary expenses paid for the position in subdivision (e)(1)(A)(i) of this section;

(2) (A) (i) One (1) part-time secretary, whose salary shall not be less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per annum.

(ii) The salary is to be paid in accordance with the pay periods and payroll policy of Lawrence County.

(B) In addition to the salary, Social Security, matching retirement, insurance, and all related salary expenses shall be paid by Lawrence County;

(3) (A) (i) One (1) full-time secretary, whose salary shall not be less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per annum.

(ii) The salary is to be paid in accordance with the pay periods and payroll policy of Randolph County.

(B) In addition to the salary, Social Security, matching retirement, insurance, and all related salary expenses shall be paid by Randolph County;

(4) (A) (i) One (1) full-time secretary, whose salary shall not be less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per annum.

(ii) The salary is to be paid in accordance with the pay periods and payroll policy of Sharp County.

(B) In addition to the salary, Social Security, matching retirement, insurance, and all related salary expenses shall be paid by Sharp County; and

(5) (A) (i) One (1) full-time Jackson County -- Third Judicial District secretary, whose salary shall not be less than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per annum.

(ii) The salary is to be paid in accordance with the pay periods and payroll policy of Jackson County.

(B)

(i) In addition to the salary, Social Security, matching retirement, insurance, and all related salary expenses shall be paid by Jackson County.

(ii) The counties of Lawrence, Randolph, and Sharp each shall reimburse Jackson County for a one-eighth (1/8) share of the salary, Social Security, matching retirement, insurance, and all related salary expenses paid for this position.

(f) Nothing in this section shall prevent or prohibit each quorum court in the respective counties in the Third Judicial District from appropriating additional positions, salaries, salary matching requirements, or expenses greater than the amounts mandated in this section should they deem it necessary to do so.

(g) The Prosecuting Attorney of the Third Judicial District shall be allowed additional assistance and employees in each county upon appropriation of the quorum court and approval of the county judge in each respective county.