(a) Except as otherwise provided in Code Section 36-5-23, in every county of this state in which the county government is administered by a single county commissioner, such county commissioner shall be entitled to receive a minimum annual salary equal in amount to the minimum annual salary provided for the sheriff of any such county pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 15-16-20; provided, however, that a local law may provide for a greater annual salary than such minimum salary or may provide an expense allowance in addition to such minimum salary or in addition to such greater salary; provided, further, that any such county commissioner may by resolution elect to receive a salary of lesser amount which is provided by a local law.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not affect any automobile allowance provided for any such county commissioner pursuant to local law.