1. Sheriffs in counties of the first class not having a charter form of government and in counties of the second class having a population in excess of seventy thousand shall, in addition to their general duties:

(1) Regularly patrol and police all county constructed and maintained highways within the county;

(2) Enforce all laws designed to safeguard and protect these highways;

(3) Protect county employees engaged in maintenance and construction work on these highways;

(4) Report all dangerous conditions on these highways to the county highway department.

2. The expenditures resulting from the performance of the duties imposed by this section are subject to the budgetary procedures and controls provided in sections 50.525 to 50.660.