Local Government Comm. Similar views were voiced when the local government committee brought section 4 of article 9 before the convention body for approval. Under this section, then, counties will now have legislative powers, provided that the Legislature gives them such powers. Conv. at 2522. Thus, those counties which exercise only general powers are limited to whatever powers the legislature expressly or implicitly grants.
Express powers are powers specifically granted by law.
I have found no express or implied powers authorizing the Yellowstone County Commission to reduce the position of county auditor to half-time. Mont. Code Ann. No existing statute contemplates a reduction of the office of auditor to part-time. The absence of such a statute is in direct contrast to Mont. Code Ann. Had the legislature intended to expressly authorize county commissions to reduce the office of county auditor to half-time, it would have adopted legislation similar to that for county attorneys and county superintendents.