Upon application by the Ohio water development authority, the controlling board may, from appropriations available to the authority, provide funds for surveys or studies by the authority of any proposed development project subject to repayment by the authority from funds available to it, within the time fixed by the board. Funds to be repaid shall be charged by the authority to the appropriate development project and the amount thereof shall be a cost of the project. This section does not abrogate the authority of the controlling board to otherwise provide funds for use by the authority in the exercise of the powers granted to it by Chapter 6123 of the Revised Code.