Appointment in certain counties of chief deputy tax commissioner; filling vacancy in office of chief deputy; succession to office of tax commissioner.

(a) In all counties of this state having a population of 550,000 or more according to the United States decennial census of 1950 or any future such census and in which there exists the office of tax commissioner, the tax commissioner shall be required to appoint from among the assistants or deputies in his office a chief deputy. Upon making the appointment, the tax commissioner shall notify the county governing authority, which shall record a copy of the appointment upon its minutes. The tax commissioner shall appoint the chief deputy at his will and pleasure, such appointment in no event to extend beyond the term of office of the person making the appointment.