(a) The Sheriff of Lowndes County shall receive an additional expense allowance in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per annum, payable in equal monthly installments from the general fund of the county as other county employees are paid. This expense allowance shall be in addition to all other expense allowances, compensation, or other salary provided by law and may be treated as compensation for retirement contributions.
(b) Beginning with the next term of office, the annual salary for the sheriff shall be increased by ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per annum, payable in equal monthly installments from the general fund of the county as other county employees are paid and, at that time, subsection (a) shall become null and void.