Sec. 13. (a) This section does not apply to the office of a judge.
(b) In accordance with section 12 of this chapter, if a chief deputy employee does not exist in a circuit or county office, or the chief deputy employee declines or is ineligible to serve, the board of county commissioners shall appoint, as soon as is reasonably possible, a person to assume the duties of the office until the office is filled under this chapter.
(c) If a circuit contains more than one (1) county, the boards of county commissioners of the counties shall meet in joint session at the county seat of the county that contains the greatest percentage of population of the circuit to appoint an individual under this section.