The position of public defender shall be filled by appointment of the board of county commissioners with an attorney authorized to practice law in this state and who has been recommended by the district attorney and the judges of the courts of record of such county. The public defender and operating expenses of such office shall be paid from the funds in the county general revenue fund an amount to be determined by the board of county commissioners which amount shall not be in excess of ninety percent (90%) of the salary of the district attorney of such county that is paid from the general revenue fund of the county. The board of county commissioners may authorize the employment and fix the salaries of such assistants and clerical help as such board may deem necessary.
Okla. Stat. tit. 19, § 137.2