Sec. 10. (a) A political subdivision has the same powers and is subject to the same duties and liability in respect to municipal assessments for the cost of public improvements affecting the political subdivision's real property as private owners of real property.
(b) The real property of a political subdivision is subject to liens for the assessments if the real property would have been subject if owned by a private owner at the time the lien attached. However, a penalty or attorney's fees arising from such an assessment may not be collected from a political subdivision.