Section 700. Construction

1.  The  provisions  of  this chapter shall be
  liberally construed for the purpose of effectuating the  intent  of  the
  people  in  adopting section two of article nine of the constitution. It
  is the intent of the legislature to  set  forth  the  structure  of  the
  alternative  forms  of  county government enumerated in this chapter and
  the manner in which each is to function.
    2. It is not the intention of the legislature  hereby  to  abolish  or
  curtail  any  existing  powers  or  rights  heretofore conferred upon or
  delegated to a county or counties or  to  any  board,  body  or  officer
  thereof,  unless  a  contrary  intention  is  clearly  manifest from the
  express provisions of this chapter or by necessary intendment therefrom.
    3. It is the intention of the legislature hereby to continue in  force
  all  special  laws  passed by the legislature, not inconsistent with the
  provisions  of  this  chapter,  until  repealed,  amended,  modified  or
  superseded by or pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or other law
  or pursuant to the form of government adopted by the county affected.
    4.  All general laws applicable to counties, not inconsistent with the
  provisions of this chapter shall continue to apply to a county after  it
  has  adopted  one  of  the alternative forms of county government, until
  repealed,  amended,  modified  or  superseded  by  or  pursuant  to  the
  provisions of this chapter or other law or by or pursuant to the form of
  government adopted by the county.
    5.  The  enumeration  of  specific  powers  by  this chapter shall not
  operate to detract from the meaning of any general grant of power or  to
  exclude other powers comprehended in such general grant of power.
    6.  If  any clause, sentence, paragraph, word, section or part of this
  chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction  to  be
  invalid,  such  judgment  shall  not  affect,  impair, or invalidate the
  remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause,
  sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly  involved  in  the
  controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.