(b) (1) The Sheriff of Queen Anne’s County shall receive an annual salary set by the County Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County of at least $10,000.

(2) The Sheriff shall appoint a chief deputy sheriff, or the managerial equivalent, who shall:

(i) Receive an annual salary set by the County Commissioners of at least $4,500; and

(ii) Serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff.

(3) (i) The Sheriff may appoint the number of assistant deputy sheriffs as the County Commissioners approve, at annual salaries set by the County Commissioners of at least $4,200.

(ii) The Sheriff may not refuse to reappoint a deputy sheriff without just cause.

(4) The County Commissioners may appoint an assistant deputy sheriff, at an annual salary set by the County Commissioners of at least $4,200.

(c) The salaries are in lieu of all expenses, fees, costs, and charges, except for the board and keeping of prisoners in the county jail and other necessary operating expenses allowed by law or practice, including all expenses for transferring persons to and from penal institutions, places of confinement, and State institutions in the State under sentence or order of an authority.

(d) The County Commissioners may include in the merit system of the county the employees of the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Department.