In Lowndes County, any cost-of-living increases, merit raises, one-time pay increases, or any other increases in compensation granted or paid to the sheriff prior to February 28, 2018, are ratified and confirmed without regard as to whether the compensation was correctly calculated or paid. These payments shall continue to be paid to the sheriff as an expense allowance until the end of the current term of office of the sheriff. Effective beginning the next term of office, the expense allowance shall be null and void and shall be converted to salary. The compensation and expense allowance provided by this section shall be in addition to any compensation or expense allowances provided by law.