(a) The Lee County Commission shall employ a county engineer who shall be a thoroughly qualified and competent civil engineer possessing all of the qualifications as specified for county engineers under the general laws of the State of Alabama and who shall reside in Lee County during his or her employment.
(b) The county engineer shall be responsible for the management of the county highway department and the maintenance of county roads, highways, bridges, and ferries in Lee County, at the discretion of the county commission or its designee.