(1) The counties and municipalities of the state are authorized to lease publicly owned real property to any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture or individual for the purpose of enabling such person to construct or renovate thereon any of the buildings or facilities described in Section 31-8-1 and to lease such buildings and facilities to the county or municipality. No such ground lease shall be for a primary term in excess of the primary term of the lease with respect to the buildings and facilities to be constructed thereon.

(2) The counties and municipalities of the state are authorized to sublease buildings and facilities leased pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to the United States Postal Service or to any state or federal governmental agency. Any sublease entered into pursuant to this subsection may contain an option granting the sublessee the right to purchase the leased property upon the expiration of the primary term of the sublease, or upon such earlier date as may be agreed upon, at a price not to exceed the unpaid principal balance at such time.

Before entering into any lease agreement pursuant to this subsection, the board of supervisors or the governing authorities of the municipality shall follow and be subject to the same procedures regarding publishing notice, filing protest and holding an election specified for lease agreements under Section 31-8-11, except that the notice shall not state that the rental is a continuing obligation and a charge against the general credit and leasing power of the county or municipality.