In a county that has not adopted or does not operate under the county-manager plan, the board of commissioners shall appoint, suspend, and remove all county officers, employees, and agents except those who are elected by the people or whose appointment is otherwise provided for by law. The board may delegate to the head of any county department the power to appoint, suspend, and remove county officers or employees assigned to his department. (1973, c. 822, s. 1.)