(1) Subject to subsection (2), the boards of county commissioners in the several counties in the state shall fix the compensation allowed any deputy or assistant of the following officers:
(a) clerk and recorder;
(b) clerk of the district court;
(c) treasurer;
(d) county attorney;
(e) auditor.
(2) (a) The salary of a deputy or an assistant listed in subsection (1), other than a deputy county attorney, may not be more than 90% of the salary of the officer under whom the deputy or assistant is serving. The salary of a deputy county attorney, including longevity payments provided in 7-4-2503 (3)(c), may not exceed the salary of the county attorney under whom the deputy is serving.
(b) If a deputy or assistant is employed for a period of less than 1 year, the compensation of the deputy or assistant must be for the time employed and the rate of compensation may not be in excess of the rates provided by law for similar deputies and assistants.