(a) The county clerk shall appoint a deputy county clerk and file a written statement of the appointment in the clerk’s office. In the absence or disability of the county clerk or if a vacancy in the office occurs, the deputy county clerk shall perform all the duties of the county clerk during the clerk’s absence or until the vacancy is filled. In addition to the deputy, the county clerk also may appoint, promote, demote and dismiss additional deputies and any assistants necessary to carry out the duties of the office. The county clerk shall supervise all assistants in the performance of their duties. The county clerk’s surety shall be responsible under the clerk’s official bond for the acts of the deputies and any assistants. The county or deputy county clerk shall in no case act as a county treasurer or as the treasurer’s deputy. Within the limitations of the budget for the financing of the operation of the clerk’s office as approved by the board of county commissioners, the county clerk may attend and may require the deputies and any assistants to attend any meetings or seminars which the clerk determines will be beneficial to the operation of the clerk’s office.

(b) The county clerk shall submit a budget for the financing of the operation of the clerk’s office to the board of county commissioners for their approval.

(c) Any personnel action taken by the county clerk under this section shall be subject to the following: (1) Personnel policies and procedures established by the board of county commissioners for all county employees other than elected officials; (2) any pay plan established by the board of county commissioners for all county employees other than elected officials; (3) any applicable collective bargaining agreements or civil service system; and (4) the budget for the financing of the operation of the clerk’s office as approved by the board of county commissioners.