(a) The Lauderdale Court's County Commission, or other like governing body of the county, is hereby authorized and empowered to authorize the sheriff of the county to employ a cook at the county jail, which cook shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff.
(b) Such cook employed under this section shall receive such salary as, from time to time, may be fixed and allowed by the county commission or other like governing body of the county. The salary shall be paid in equal monthly or semimonthly installments out of the general fund of the county.