(a) Effective October 1, 1996, upon the approval of a majority of the electors of Bullock County, there is hereby created the office of county Revenue Commissioner for Bullock County. Such revenue commissioner shall be elected at the general election in 1996 and at the general election every six years thereafter, the same as the tax assessor and tax collector are now elected.
(b) The offices of Tax Assessor and Tax Collector of Bullock County are hereby abolished effective upon the implementation of this section, and the revenue commissioner shall perform all acts, duties, and functions required by law to be performed either by the tax assessor or the tax collector of the county, including, but not limited to, the assessment of all real property for taxation, the collection of taxes and distribution of taxes according to law, the keeping of records, and the making of reports concerning assessments.
(c) Subject to the approval of the Bullock County Commission, the county revenue commissioner shall appoint and fix the duties and compensation of a sufficient number of deputies, clerks, and assistants to adequately perform the duties of the office. The acts of the deputies and/or chief clerks shall have the same force and legal effect as if performed by the county revenue commissioner.
(d) Before entering upon the duties of office, the county revenue commissioner shall take the oath of office prescribed by Article XI of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, and execute a bond in such sum as may be fixed by the Bullock County Commission, giving as security thereon a bonding company authorized to do business in Alabama. The bond shall be conditioned as other officials' bonds are conditioned and shall be approved by and filed with the Judge of Probate of Bullock County. The cost of the bond required herein shall be paid out of the general funds of the county on a warrant of the Bullock County Commission, and shall be preferred claim against the county.
(e) The Bullock County Commission shall provide the necessary offices for the county revenue commissioner and shall provide all stationery, equipment, and office supplies, not otherwise furnished by law, necessary for the efficient performance of the duties of the office.
(f) The county revenue commissioner shall collect and pay into the general fund of the county all fees, percentages, commissions, and other allowances which the tax assessor or the tax collector of the county are now or are hereafter may be by law authorized and directed to charge or collect for the performance of any duty hereby imposed on the county revenue commissioner. As compensation for the performance of the duties of the office, the county revenue commissioner shall receive an annual salary as provided by the laws of the State of Alabama. The salary of the county revenue commissioner shall be payable in equal installments, as are the salaries of other county employees.
(g) Should either the offices of Tax Assessor or Tax Collector for Bullock County be vacated for any reason whatsoever between July 24, 1991, and September 30, 1996, the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately with the remaining officeholder acting as county revenue commissioner for the remainder of the term for which he or she was elected.
(h) The purpose of this section is to promote the public convenience in Bullock County by consolidation of the offices of tax assessor and tax collector into one county office.