Effective October 1, 1997, or upon occurrence of a vacancy in either the office of tax assessor or tax collector, there shall be a county revenue commissioner in Barbour County. A revenue commissioner shall be elected at the general election held in 1996 and at the general election held every six years thereafter, who shall serve for a term of six years beginning on the first day of October immediately following his or her election, and until a successor is elected and has qualified.
Ala. Code § 45-3-242 (1975)