§ 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in force all special laws passed by the legislature, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, until repealed, amended, modified or superseded by or pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or other law or pursuant to the form of government adopted by the county affected.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shall continue to apply to a county after it has adopted one of the alternative forms of county government, until repealed, amended, modified or superseded by or pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or other law or by or pursuant to the form of government adopted by the county.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.