Any properties, real or personal, owned, leased, controlled, used, or occupied by a water or sewer or water and sewer commission or board for any purpose referred to in sections 116A.01 to 116A.26 are declared to be acquired, owned, leased, controlled, used and occupied for public, governmental, and municipal purposes, and shall be exempt from taxation by the state or any political subdivision of the state, except to the extent that the property is subject to the sales and use tax under chapter 297A, provided that such properties shall be subject to special assessments levied by a political subdivision for a local improvement in amounts proportionate to and not exceeding the special benefit received by the properties from such improvement. No possible use of any such properties in any manner different from their use as part of a distribution or disposal system at the time shall be considered in determining the special benefit received by such properties. All such assessments shall be subject to final confirmation by the county board or boards in whose jurisdiction the system is constructed and whose determination of the benefits shall be conclusive upon the political subdivision levying the assessment.