This section applies only in Howard County. The annual State’s Attorney’s salary is: Equal to the salary of a judge of the District Court of Maryland for calendar year 2026; $220,601 for calendar year 2027; $227,230 for calendar year 2028; $234,079 for calendar year 2029; and $241,149 for calendar year 2030 and each subsequent calendar year. The State’s Attorney may appoint two deputy State’s Attorneys and the number of assistant State’s Attorneys authorized by the County Executive. The deputy and assistant State’s Attorneys: shall serve at the pleasure of the State’s Attorney; subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, shall receive a salary set by the County Executive with the approval of the County Council; shall have the same legal power as the State’s Attorney to represent the State before the grand jury and in criminal proceedings; and under the direction of the State’s Attorney, may present cases to the grand jury, sign indictments and criminal informations, and perform other necessary duties relating to the grand jury and the operation of the office as directed by the State’s Attorney or authorized by law. The salary for a deputy State’s Attorney may not be less than $6,000 each year. The State’s Attorney may employ an administrative assistant who may: collect and distribute moneys payable for the support of dependents under orders issued from courts in this State or another state; and retain 2% of the moneys collected to be paid to the County Council to defray the costs of the service. The salary of the administrative assistant shall be set by the County Executive with the approval of the County Council. Not later than 3 months after the close of each fiscal year, the County Auditor shall examine the books and accounts of the State’s Attorney’s office and prepare a financial audit for the preceding fiscal year. The financial audit shall be: submitted to the County Executive and County Council; and included in the annual audit of the county required by §§ 16–305 through 16–308 of the Local Government Article. At any time the County Executive or County Council may order a special audit of the State’s Attorney’s office in accordance with § 213 of the Howard County Charter. The State’s Attorney may not engage in the private practice of law.