As used in this article, unless the context plainly indicates a different meaning, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them: “County” means Cullman County, Alabama; “employee” means any person who is employed in the service of the county on a regular full-time basis; “exempt service” means those employees to whom this article shall not apply; “classified service” means those employees to whom this article shall apply; “commission” means the County Commission of Cullman County; “board” means the personnel board; “head of department/office” includes the sheriff, revenue commissioner, judge of probate, and chair of the county commission. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular includes the plural, and the plural the singular.