WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 492

OF THE CIRCUIT COURT. RECORDATION OF THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS
WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IS LEGAL NOTICE OF THE

LIENS.

97-4. BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS.

A. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 OF EACH YEAR, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SHALL CERTIFY ITS BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS TO THE
COUNTY TREASURER FOR COLLECTION FROM THE PROPERTY OWNERS
AFFECTED.

B. THE TREASURER SHALL ADD THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS TO
THE STATE AND COUNTY PROPERTY TAX BILLS FOR COLLECTION,
SUBJECT TO DISCOUNT AND INTEREST ALLOWANCES OR CHARGES AS
ARE NOW PROVIDED BY LAW FOR CHARLES COUNTY TAXES ON REAL
PROPERTY. IF A PROPERTY OWNER FAILS TO PAY A BENEFIT
ASSESSMENT, THE ASSESSMENT SUM MAY BE DEDUCTED FROM ANY
SURPLUS IN THE HANDS OF THE TREASURER AFTER SALE, UNDER
ORDER OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, FOR NONPAYMENT OF STATE AND
COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES. IN THE ALTERNATIVE, THE LIEN CREATED
IN FAVOR OF THE ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT MAY BE ENFORCED BY
BILL IN EQUITY OR BY ACTION AT LAW.

C. A DEED OR CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED BY THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE UNTIL PROOF OF PAYMENT
OF ALL BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS HAS BEEN MADE TO THE TRANSFER
CLERK.

97-5. REQUIRED PROCEDURE.

BEFORE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS EXERCISE THE POWERS
GRANTED BY THIS ARTICLE, THERE SHALL BE:

A. A PETITION FILED BY A MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS
WHOSE PROPERTY IS SERVED BY THE PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM THAT
REQUESTS THE COUNTY TO ACQUIRE AND IMPROVE THE PRIVATE
WATER SYSTEM.

B. A PUBLIC HEARING UPON THE PETITION AFTER TEN (10) DAYS'
NOTICE IN A NEWSPAPER REGULARLY PUBLISHED IN CHARLES COUNTY.

C. THE APPROVAL OF THE PETITION BY THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS.

D. THE PASSAGE OF AN APPROPRIATE ORDINANCE UNDER § 97-2
OF THIS ARTICLE THAT STATES:

(1) THE IMPROVEMENTS BEING ACQUIRED OR IMPROVED.

(2) THE PROPERTY OWNERS AFFECTED.

(3) ALL MATERIAL TERMS OF THE ANNUAL BENEFIT

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