The governing body of any county in which is located in whole or in part any legally established drainage project may, in its discretion, appropriate and pay out of the funds of such county accruing from the general county levy, to such drainage project, such sum of money as it may deem proper, for application on the bonded or other indebtedness or for any other legitimate purpose of such drainage project. The board of viewers of any such drainage project in such county may accept and receive any and all moneys so appropriated and use the same, in their discretion, for any of the purposes hereinabove mentioned.

In lieu of such appropriation, the governing body of any such county may appropriate and pay out of the funds of such county accruing from the general county levy to the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations of any legally established drainage project located in whole or in part in such county, such sum of money as the governing body may deem proper for the acquisition and purchase for and on behalf of the county, of all or any of such bonds, notes and other obligations; and the governing body of any such county may also invest moneys, or any part thereof, credited to any sinking fund of the county or of any project thereof, in, and with such moneys to purchase for any such sinking fund, bonds, notes and other obligations of any such legally established drainage project located in whole or in part in such county, provided no such moneys shall be invested in any such bonds, notes or other obligations issued prior to January 1, 1928. The governing body of any such county may, in consideration of additional levies or assessments heretofore or hereafter made against the real estate located in such drainage project, release any or all of such real estate from the lien or liens of any or all drainage taxes heretofore or hereafter assessed against such real estate, provided that the drainage bonds of such project or projects are owned and held solely by any such county.

1938, p. 795; 1940, p. 625; 1942, p. 697; Michie Code 1942, § 2734b; 1954, c. 642.