The legislative body may levy an annual ad valorem special assessment not to exceed fifty cents ($0.50) per one hundred dollars ($100) assessed valuation of taxable land and improvements within the maintenance district to pay the costs of maintenance and operation of the open areas or such portion of said costs as the legislative body determines shall be borne by the maintenance district. The legislative body may determine that all or a portion of the costs may be borne by the local agency. The annual assessments shall be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner and with the same interest and penalties as general taxes for the local agency are collected.