§ 508. Powers and duties of the county attorney.

The county attorney shall be the legal advisor of the county and of its several offices, departments, boards, commissions and other agencies. Except as provided in section 510 of this article, no office, department, board, commission or other agency or branch of the county government shall have any authority or power to employ or retain any legal counsel other than the county attorney. The county attorney shall also be the legal adviser and legislative draftsman for the county council. The county attorney shall give advice and opinions on any legal questions affecting the interest of the county when those questions are submitted:

(1)

By written request of the county council,

(2)

By written request of the county executive or the county administrative officer, or

(3)

With the approval of the county administrative officer, by written request of the head of any office or department in the administrative services. All deeds, bonds, contracts, releases and other legal papers and instruments involving the interests of the county shall, before their execution or delivery, be submitted to the county attorney for approval in writing as to their form and legal sufficiency. The county attorney shall have such additional duties as may from time to time be provided by law.

(Bill No. 172, 1981, § 1; approved by voters Nov. 2, 1982; effective Dec. 3, 1982; Bill No. 14-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)