An expense incurred in the maintenance and operation of a recreation place established under this chapter, including the operation of a recreation program in the recreation place, may be paid from the city treasury. Council may annually appropriate, and cause to be raised by taxation in accordance with section 12531(a)(4) (relating to tax levies), a tax for this purpose. The funds may be appropriated for the purposes of this section to an existing body or board or to a recreation board.