(a) The commissioners court of a county may authorize the county assessor-collector to:
(1) establish a suboffice or branch office for vehicle registration at one or more locations in the county other than the county courthouse; or
(2) appoint a deputy to register vehicles in the same manner and with the same authority as though done in the office of the assessor-collector.
(b) The report of vehicles registered through a suboffice or branch office shall be made through the office of the county assessor-collector.