(a) An award which requires the payment of a sum of money by a city, town, the state, or any body described in § 37-16-2 created or organized by or through the authority of any of them, shall be satisfied to the extent of payment of that sum by payment thereof to the party to whom the award was made by the treasurer or officer exercising the duties of a treasurer thereof from its general funds.
(b) An award which requires the payment of a sum of money to a city, a town, or the state or any body described in § 37-16-2 created or organized by or through the authority of any of them shall be satisfied to the extent of payment of that sum by payment thereof to its treasurer or officer exercising the duties of a treasurer thereof who shall deposit the same in its general funds.