(a) Whenever any agency of the state shall determine to construct any buildings and facilities or to make any repairs or additions to existing buildings and facilities and there are funds available for these purposes, then the agency shall have the authority to undertake any such project by the employment and use of its own forces, or by contract, or in part by its own forces and in part by contract, all as in its opinion shall be in the best interest of the state. For this purpose, the agency may employ architects.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any city, town, county, or school district within this state.