(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the county attorney shall without fee or reward, give opinions and advice to the board of county commissioners and other civil officers of the county, when requested by such board or officers, upon all matters in which the county is interested, or relating to the duties of such board or officers, in which the state or county may have an interest.

(b) No county attorney shall be required to give opinions or advice to the board of county commissioners with regard to the operation of the county hospital nor shall the county attorney be required to give opinions or advice to the board of the county hospital. The county attorney may give opinions and advice to the board of county commissioners and to the board of the county hospital when requested to do so by either or both such boards.