There is hereby created the office of assistant solicitor for the eighth judicial circuit, the qualifications for which shall be the same as those of a solicitor. The assistant solicitor shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the circuit solicitor and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the solicitor.

The assistant solicitor shall receive an annual salary equal to one half of that received by the solicitor. He shall also receive the same amount for expenses as received by the solicitor. Each county in the circuit shall pay its pro rata share of such salary and expense allowance based upon population according to the latest official United States census. Such amounts shall be paid monthly in equal payments by the treasurer of each county in the circuit from the general fund of the county.