A. Each of the court reporters and judges' secretaries in the twenty-third judicial district shall receive a monthly salary of not less than six hundred dollars per month to be paid in equal shares by each of the parishes comprising the judicial district.
B. In civil cases which are reported and transcribed, a fee of one dollar and twenty-five cents per page shall be charged by and paid to the reporter. Provided, however, that no additional fee shall be charged for reporting or transcribing civil cases except when ordered for purposes of appeal of a decision of the court or when ordered by the court of appeal.
C. Except in pauper cases, payment of the fee for reporting and transcribing shall be made primarily by the plaintiff. Should the plaintiff fail or refuse to make such payment, the defendant or any other party to the suit may make such payment and have it assessed as costs.
No fee shall be charged for taking evidence on bills of exception, motions or other pleadings in criminal cases.