(a) The Sheriff of Macon County, Alabama, is hereby authorized to make provisions for a law enforcement substation program throughout the county to the extent he or she deems necessary for improved law enforcement efforts. In order to foster and encourage the support of private citizens for such program, there is hereby established the Sheriff’s Department Substation Trust Fund to which private citizens may make supportive contributions. The county sheriff shall serve as trustee for such fund and shall be held accountable to the county commission and the Macon County legislative delegation for all expenditures made from such fund.
(b) In order to staff the law enforcement substation provided for in subsection (a), the county sheriff shall hire such additional deputies as he or she deems necessary with such deputies to be compensated at the rate of one dollar ($1) per annum plus other valuable considerations as authorized and approved from time to time by the county commission. All necessary expenses of operating such substations such as office space, utilities, office equipment, weapons, uniforms, flashlights, and other essential equipment shall be paid primarily from the trust fund with the county at their discretion supplementing any deficiency that the trust fund is unable to cover. Whenever it becomes necessary to cut the costs of office space, the private home of a deputy may be used as a substation when so authorized by the county sheriff and approved by the county commission.