J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                         1741

source or sources of funds for payment of said interest and principal
and where the source is ad valorem taxes shall certify the amount
to the County Commissioners of Wicomico County for collection by
taxation as provided in Section 519.

526. Service charges.

For the purpose of providing funds for maintenance, repair and
operation of any urban service, which shall include operating
expenses, other expenses, proper depreciation allowance and for
interest on and the retirement of bonds as specified in this subtitle,
the Commission is hereby empowered to make service charges against
all properties receiving any urban services for the services received
by those properties. The rate for any service shall be uniform for
that service throughout each sub-district, subject to such changes
from time to time as may be necessary. Any charges for the upkeep
of urban service installations shall be reasonable and shall be col-
lected annually in the same manner as benefit assessments are col-
lected and shall be a first lien against all properties in the service
area in which they are imposed. Charges for water and sewer service
may be based either on a meter or on a flat rate in the discretion of
the Commission; provided, that where water meters are installed,
they shall be placed on each water connection at the sole expense of
the Commission. The Commission shall establish a rate for each sub-
district based either on a metered flow or a flat rate with a minimum
charge for each property connection regardless of the amount of flow
of the number of facilities on the property using the water or sewer.
The rate for each sub-district shall be uniform except that the Com-
mission may maintain both a metered charge and a flat rate charge
in the same area where circumstances so require. Bills for the amount
of all service charges shall be sent quarterly or semi-annually by the
County Treasurer as the Commission may determine, to each prop-
erty served, and shall be thereon payable at the office of the County
Treasurer; and if any service bill remains unpaid after forty-five
(45) days from date of sending, it shall be subject to a five percent
(5%) delinquent charge; and after sixty days (60) interest shall
also be charged at the rate of one-half percent (½%) per month;
and if the bill is for water service, the Commission shall give written
notice left upon the premises or mailed to the last known address
of the owner, that the water or sewer service will be terminated in
five (5) days and not reinstituted until said bill and delinquent charge
have been paid together with a turn-off charge of Three Dollars
($3.00). Upkeep and service charges shall be collectible in the same
manner as other debts are collectible in the County and shall be a
first lien against the property against which they are imposed.

528. Acquisition of Existing Systems.

The Commission is authorized and empowered to purchase or
acquire by gift, any existing water or sewerage systems in Wicomico
County, or any other water or sewerage systems only partially in
said County, which in its judgment are desirable or necessary for the
purpose of providing adequate water or sewerage service or both
for the residents of said County. The Commission is further author-
ized to purchase or acquire by gift any installations or equipment
necessary or useful in the maintenance or operation of any existing
urban service operating in said County.