Except as otherwise provided by ordinance, any contract in excess of an appropriation shall be null and void; and any officer, agent or employee of the county knowingly responsible shall be personally liable to anyone damaged by his or her action. The Commissioners may adopt an ordinance permitting the county to enter into contracts requiring the payment of funds from appropriations of subsequent fiscal years. The Board will enter into and sign all real estate documents associated with the county, its agencies, or departments except where contrary to law. Real estate leases shall be for a period not to exceed that permitted by state law. (All of Article IX as proposed by the Charter Review Commission and approved by the voters November 8, 1983. Amendment proposed by the Charter Review Commission and approved by the voters November 4, 2003.)