Ch. 492 LAWS OF MARYLAND
97-2. AUTHORITY GRANTED.

A. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MAY:

(1) ACQUIRE AND IMPROVE PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS AFTER
RECEIVING A REQUEST THAT THE PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM BE TAKEN
INTO THE COUNTY SYSTEM.

(2) LEVY AN ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT ON THE
PROPERTIES SERVED BY THE PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM TO REIMBURSE
THE COUNTY FOR THE COSTS OF ACQUISITION AND IMPROVEMENT.

B. AFTER ACQUISITION OF A PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM, IT SHALL
BE OPERATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS PURSUANT TO THE DEPARTMENT'S RATES AND REGULATIONS.

C. IN THE EXERCISE OF THE POWERS GRANTED BY THIS ARTICLE,
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY ORDINANCE MAY ADOPT ALL
NECESSARY REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE ACCEPTANCE,
ACQUISITION, IMPROVEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE WATER
SYSTEMS. THE ORDINANCE SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE METHOD OF
DETERMINING THE ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS TO BE LEVIED
AGAINST THE PROPERTIES SERVED BY THE PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM
FOR THE PURPOSE OF REIMBURSING THE COUNTY FOR ALL COSTS OF
THE IMPROVEMENT AND ACQUISITION. THE ORDINANCE SHALL SPECIFY
THE TIME AND MANNER OF PAYMENT, WHICH MAY NOT EXCEED
FIFTEEN (15) YEARS. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY CHARGE
INTEREST ON THE AMOUNT OF COUNTY FUNDS PROVIDED TO ACQUIRE
AND IMPROVE THE SYSTEM, AND SHALL DETERMINE THE RATE OF
INTEREST IMPOSED.

D. ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE A FIRST LIEN UPON
THE PROPERTIES AGAINST WHICH THEY ARE ASSESSED UNTIL PAID,
SUBJECT ONLY TO PRIOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES. IF ANY PROPERTY
IS SOLD FOR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES AND A SURPLUS REMAINS
AFTER THE SALE, THEN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, UPON PETITION
TO THE CIRCUIT COURT, MAY BE ALLOWED THE PAYMENT OF THEIR
LIEN.

97-3. NOTICE TO PUBLIC.

FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS
TO THE EXISTING LIENS AND CHARGES AGAINST ANY PROPERTY FOR
THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS AUTHORIZED UNDER § 97-2 OF THIS
ARTICLE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL KEEP A PUBLIC RECORD
OF ALL NAMES OF PROPERTY OWNERS, THE LOCATION OF THE
PROPERTIES, AND THE AMOUNT OF THE BENEFIT CHARGES. THIS
PUBLIC RECORD SHALL BE FOUND AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF
CHARLES COUNTY THAT ARE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CLERK

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