All property of the authority is public property devoted to an essential public and governmental function and purpose and is exempt from all taxes of the state or a political subdivision of the state; however, the authority may make payments in place of taxes in amounts equal to the real and personal property taxes that would be assessed on its real and personal property by each political subdivision in which its property is located to the same extent as if that property were private property and the authority were a non-public corporation. All bonds issued under this chapter are issued by a body corporate and public of this state and for an essential public and governmental purpose and the bonds and the interest and income on and from the bonds and all income of the authority are exempt from taxation except for transfer, inheritance, and estate taxes.