J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                       1471

only to prior State and county taxes. If any property is sold for
State and/or county taxes, or both, by the Treasurer of the County,
and if after sale there is a surplus after all costs and expenses in-
cident to such sale shall have been paid, the Commission upon proper
petition to the Circuit Court shall be allowed any balance from the
surplus, and shall be a preferred lienor to the extent of its lien; and
for the purpose of giving notice to the general public as to existing
liens and charges against any property within the sanitary district
abutting upon any water or sewer main, or connected thereto the
Commission shall keep a public record of all names of owners of
property, locations of said property, lot numbers when of record,
and the amount of such benefit assessments, water service charges,
or such other charges that may become liens from time to time. Such
records shall be kept in the office of the Harford County Metropolitan
Commission as a public record, and when so kept shall be legal notice
of all existing liens within the sanitary district. The Commission
shall request the County Treasurer to print a notice on the State and
County Tax Bills that benefit assessments and other charges for
water and sewer services must be paid in the office of the Metropoli-
tan Commission or elsewhere as the Commission may designate.

422. Connection charges.

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subtitle the
Commission may make a charge for every sewer and water connec-
tion. The funds derived from such charges may be used for payment
of principal and interest on bonds, accumulating funds for capital
improvements, for acquisition and construction of water sewerage
and drainage systems and the operation and maintenance thereof
and for the purchase of equipment and supplies necessary to the
operation of the Commission. Connection charges shall be established
from time to time by the Commission subject to the approval of the
County Commissioners. Such charges may be based upon such rea-
sonable classifications as the Commissioners may determine and such
classifications may vary within any water, sewer, or drainage system
and among any such systems depending on any special circumstances
which the Commission finds exist. The charges herein provided
shall not be limited to the costs to the Commission for making such
connections. The Commission is empowered to determine the manner
in which such charges shall be payable.

423. Service charges and upkeep charges.

For the purpose of providing funds for maintaining, repairing,
and operating its water supply, sewerage, or drainage systems, and
for its operation and other expenses, including proper depreciation
allowances, and for interest on and the retirements of bonds as
specified in this subtitle, the Commission may make the following
charges:

(1) A water and sewer service charge. The rates for water and
sewer service shall consist of a minimum or ready-to-serve charge
which shall be based upon the size of the meter on the water connec-
tion leading to the property, and of a charge for water used, which
shall be based upon the amount of water passing through the meter
during the period between the last two readings. The meter shall