The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power and authority to donate a sum, not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per month, to maintain a charity ward or wards in any hospital situated in the same county in which such municipality is located.
All municipalities within the several counties of this state bordering on the tidewater of the Gulf of Mexico, are hereby authorized and empowered, in the discretion of the proper authorities thereof, to appropriate such a sum of money as said authorities shall deem reasonable, to provide and maintain a charity ward or wards, in any of the hospitals in said municipalities, or, in the discretion of said authorities, to make and enter into contracts with any such hospitals for the treatment and care in such hospitals of the indigent sick of said municipalities, and to pay therefor out of the general fund of such municipalities such sum or sums, as shall be a reasonable and just compensation to said hospital.
In addition, the governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power and authority to donate and furnish free of charge lights, power and water from municipally-owned electric light and water plants to hospitals or benevolent institutions located within any such municipality.