Ala. Code § 45-45-81.01
The circuit court clerk shall appoint the person now serving as Register of the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit as a deputy circuit court clerk. The person shall serve as deputy circuit court clerk and shall be compensated from the general funds of Madison County under the Madison County Personnel Act, provided that the compensation of the person shall be no less than the annual compensation being received on November 1, 1973, and provided further that the person so appointed shall have the same rights of tenure, if any, which he or she has on November 1, 1973, and the same right to become a supernumerary register that he or she would have had if the office of register had continued to exist and he or she had continued to hold office until he or she makes application to become a supernumerary register. Upon the death, resignation, or removal from office of such deputy clerk, the office shall be eliminated and abolished. The circuit clerk shall also appoint the administrative or clerical personnel serving in the office of the register of the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit on November 1, 1973, to serve in like capacities in the office of the circuit court clerk, and such personnel shall be compensated and subject to the Madison County Personnel Act.
Ala. Code § 45-45-81.01 (1975)