(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the monthly salary of each full-time official reporter of the Superior Court in Santa Cruz County shall be as follows:
Step 1:$1,614
Step 2:$1,685
Step 3:$1,758
Step 4:$1,834
Step 5:$1,941
The initial hiring rate for each position shall be step 1. However, the judges of the superior court may appoint any such court reporter at a higher initial step if, in the opinion of the judges of the superior court, an individual to be appointed has such experience and qualifications to entitle that individual to such higher initial step.
In addition to the compensation provided in this article, each full-time reporter of the superior court shall be entitled to, and shall receive the same vacation, sick leave, salary step advancements, and similar privileges and benefits as are now or may hereafter be provided for the employees of the county.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, compensation for each official reporter pro tempore shall be sixty-five dollars ($65) a day for each day such reporter pro tempore is on duty under order of the court. Each reporter pro tempore shall receive from the county the necessary traveling and other expenses when necessarily called from other counties.
(c)
Each full-time official reporter and each official reporter pro tempore shall receive the salaries specified in subdivisions (a) and (b), respectively, unless the board of supervisors of Santa Cruz County by ordinance provides for compensation in excess of the specified amounts, in which event the amount set by ordinance shall apply.