The property of an authority is declared to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and such property and an authority shall be exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the State or any State public body thereof; provided however, that in lieu of such taxes or special assessments, the authority may agree to make payments to the State public body for improvements, services, and facilities furnished by such State public body for the benefit of the housing project, but in no event shall the payments exceed the estimated cost to such State public body of the improvements, services, or facilities to be so furnished. (1961, No. 212, § 20, eff. July 11, 1961.)