(a) In a county with a population of less than 20,000, the commissioners court shall determine, by order entered in the record at its first regular meeting in the first month of each fiscal year, whether county officers are to be compensated for the fiscal year by an annual salary or by fees earned from the performance of official duties. This subsection does not apply to a county surveyor, registrar of vital statistics, or notary public or to a county officer required to be compensated on a salary basis.
(b) Before the expiration of the first month of the fiscal year, the county clerk shall deliver to the comptroller of public accounts a certified copy of the commissioners court's order.