Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 40-6A-2, all such officials who are presently compensated by salaries which are higher than the salaries specified in the foregoing schedule shall continue to be compensated at their present salaries, subject to any other provisions of this chapter, until subsequently changed by passage of legislation affecting their respective counties. The term salary as respects such officials for purposes of this section, shall include the total compensation presently received by such officials on a salary basis of compensation, whether designated as salary or expense allowance or otherwise, provided such compensation is paid directly to such officials. Any official presently compensated on a salary basis whose total compensation as defined in this section equals or exceeds the minimum salary prescribed in Section 40-6A-2 hereof, shall be deemed to satisfy the minimum salary mandated by this chapter.