(a) An associate judge appointed under this subchapter is entitled to a salary in the amount equal to 90 percent of the annual salary paid to a district judge with comparable years of service as the associate judge as set by the General Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012, Government Code.
(b) The associate judge's salary shall be paid from county funds available for payment of officers' salaries or from funds available from the state and federal government as provided by this subchapter.