When a city, or the county in which such city is located, has in contemplation or in process of construction, buildings for public, municipal, or county purposes within the boundaries of such city, the director of public service may employ three persons, to be named by him, at least two of whom shall be architects.
Such persons shall be employed at a salary not to exceed five thousand dollars per annum each, to be fixed by the director and paid by the city from the general fund.
R.C. §735.14