(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this Section the term of office of each county superintendent of highways is 6 years and until his successor is appointed and qualified. He shall receive a salary fixed by the county board, and shall also be allowed his actual traveling and other expenses incurred in the discharge of the duties of his office, his salary and expenses to be payable out of any general or highway funds of the county. The county board shall provide all equipment and personnel reasonably required by the county superintendent of highways in the discharge of the duties of his office.(b) Each county superintendent of highways appointed in a county of more than 600,000 inhabitants but less than 3,000,000 inhabitants shall serve at the pleasure of the county board beginning with the first appointee to take office after the expiration of the remaining term of the county superintendent of highways in office on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985.