Section 1. In all counties in this State having a population of five hundred thousand (500,000) or more according to the last preceding Federal Census, or any future Federal Census, the County School Trustees may provide for the purchase and maintenance of an automobile for the use of the County Superintendent. In lieu of providing for the purchase and maintenance of such automobile, the County School Trustees may, in their discretion, allow to the County Superintendent out of the County equalization fund such sum of money per month as will in their judgment cover the cost of an automobile and the expenses of maintaining it, including depreciation thereon, provided that such sum so fixed shall not exceed the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100) per month. Such allowance, when fixed by the County School Trustees, shall be paid monthly from the County equalization fund. Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed as authorizing any increase in any tax rate now in effect in any such counties.

Sec. 2. The County Superintendent shall make monthly reports showing the kind of automobile operated by him, the number of miles such car was operated during the month in the discharge of the duties of his office, the amounts expended by him in the maintenance thereof, and such other information as may be required of him by the County School Trustees. All such reports shall be audited, and shall be subject to the approval of the County Auditor of such counties, if there be a County Auditor.
Sec. 3. The allowance above provided for shall be continued in effect for such period of time as may be determined by the County School Trustees, and may be changed from time to time as in their judgment the facts and circumstances require. Such allowance shall be in addition to the expenses now authorized by law for County Superintendents.
Sec. 4. The provisions of Article 2700, Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes, as amended by Acts 1941, Forty-seventh Legislature, Page 407, and Acts 1943, Forty-eighth Legislature, Page 697, shall apply to all counties of the class above enumerated. The provisions of such laws shall be cumulative of all other laws governing such counties.