The mayor and board of aldermen, or other governing authorities, of any municipality in this state are hereby authorized to purchase from the state any lands situated within the corporate limits of such municipality which have been sold to the state for delinquent taxes and the title to which, at the time of the filing of the application to purchase, has matured in the state. The land commissioner, with the approval of the governor, may sell any such lands situated within the corporate limits of such municipality to the municipality at such price as may be authorized by law for the sale of such lands to individuals. Such sale may be made upon the same terms and conditions as are provided by law for the sale of lands to individuals. The mayor and board of aldermen, or other governing authorities, of such municipality are hereby authorized to appropriate money out of the general fund of such municipality for the payment of the purchase price of such lands.