As used in this act:
(1) "Local attorney" means:
(a) a county attorney or district attorney, as described in Title 17, Chapter 68, County and District Attorney; or
(b) a city attorney under Section 10-3-928.
(2) "Officer or employee" means any individual who at the time of an event giving rise to a claim under this act is or was elected or appointed to or employed by a public entity, whether or not compensated, but does not include an independent contractor.
(3) "Public entity" means the state or any political subdivision of it or any office, department, division, board, agency, commission, council, authority, institution, hospital, school, college, university, or other instrumentality of the state or any such political subdivision.