Ch. 492 LAWS OF MARYLAND

PROPOSED RATES, CHARGES OR ASSESSMENTS, AND THEIR INTENTION
TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING RELATING THERETO, IN AT LEAST ONE (1)
NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SHALL THEREAFTER CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON
THE NECESSITY OR ADVISABILITY OF THE PROPOSED RATES, CHARGES
OR ASSESSMENTS.

K. PAYMENT AND COLLECTION OF CHARGES AND ASSESSMENTS.

(1) BILLING; SUBSEQUENT ACTION UPON NONPAYMENT.

(A) ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE INCLUDED
ON THE ANNUAL STATE AND COUNTY REAL ESTATE TAX BILLS ISSUED
BY THE COUNTY TREASURER. ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS SHALL
BEAR INTEREST AT THE SAME RATE AS COUNTY REAL ESTATE TAXES
AND ARE DUE AND PAYABLE AT THE SAME TIME AS COUNTY REAL
ESTATE TAXES.

(B) THE COUNTY TREASURER MAY NOT ACCEPT
PAYMENT OF STATE OR COUNTY REAL ESTATE TAXES FOR ANY
PROPERTY UNLESS PAYMENT OF ANY ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT IS
MADE AT THE SAME TIME.

(C) AN ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT OR OTHER
CHARGE AS ABOVE SPECIFIED, INCLUDING ANY PENALTY OR INTEREST
THEREON, SHALL BE A FIRST LIEN UPON THE PROPERTY AGAINST
WHICH IT IS ASSESSED UNTIL PAID, ANY STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO
THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING. IT SHALL BE SUBJECT ONLY TO
PRIOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES. IF ANY PROPERTY IS SOLD FOR
STATE OR COUNTY TAXES BY THE COUNTY TREASURER AND IF, AFTER
SALE, THERE IS A SURPLUS AFTER ALL COSTS AND EXPENSES INCIDENT
TO SUCH SALE SHALL HAVE BEEN PAID, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,
UPON PROPER PETITION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR CHARLES
COUNTY, SHALL BE ALLOWED ANY BALANCE FROM THE SURPLUS AND
SHALL BE A PREFERRED LIENOR TO THE EXTENT OF THEIR LIEN.

(D) UNPAID AND OVERDUE ANNUAL BENEFIT
ASSESSMENTS MAY BE COLLECTED BY A TAX SALE IN THE SAME
MANNER AS COUNTY OR STATE REAL ESTATE TAXES.

(2) NOTICE OF EXISTING LIENS; MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC
RECORDS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING NOTICE TO THE GENERAL
PUBLIC AS TO EXISTING LIENS AND CHARGES AGAINST ANY PROPERTY
WITHIN THE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT ABUTTING UPON ANY WATER
OR SEWER MAIN OR CONNECTED THERETO, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SHALL KEEP A PUBLIC RECORD OF ALL NAMES OF
OWNERS OF PROPERTY, LOCATIONS OF ALL PROPERTY, LOT NUMBERS
WHEN OF RECORD AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS,
WATER SERVICE CHARGES OR OTHER CHARGES THAT MAY BECOME
LIENS FROM TIME TO TIME. THESE RECORDS SHALL BE KEPT AS A

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