The coroner may appoint a qualified person to serve as deputy coroner to perform the duties of the coroner when the coroner is unavailable or absent or when the coroner is incapacitated. When called upon to serve, the deputy coroner shall have the same legal authority and responsibility as the coroner. The annual salary of the deputy coroner shall be six thousand dollars ($6,000) per year payable from the general fund of the county. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the county commission, after May 22, 2019, may adjust and increase the salary of the deputy coroner as it determines necessary.