423.02 Housing projects exempted from taxes and assessments; payments in lieu thereof.—The housing projects, including all property of housing authorities used for or in connection therewith or appurtenant thereto, of housing authorities shall be exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the state or any city, town, county, or political subdivision of the state, provided, however, that in lieu of such taxes or special assessments a housing authority may agree to make payments to any city, town, county or political subdivision of the state for services, improvements or facilities furnished by such city, town, county or political subdivision for the benefit of a housing project owned by the housing authority, but in no event shall such payments exceed the estimated cost to such city, town, county or political subdivision of the services, improvements or facilities to be so furnished.