2010                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 870

the benefit accruing thereto from the project or improvement for
which assessed.

(3) When desirable, the affected property may be divided into
different classes, to be charged different rates; but, except for this,
any rate shall be uniform.

(4) All special assessment charges shall be levied by the County
Commissioners by ordinance. Before levying any special assessment
charges, the Commissioners shall hold a public hearing. The Admin-
istrative Assistant of the County Commissioners or the Director of
the Department of Public Works shall cause notice to be given stat-
ing the nature and extent of the proposed project, the kind of ma-
terials to be used, the estimated cost of the project, the portion of the
cost to be assessed, the number of installments in which the assess-
ment may be paid, the method to be used in apportioning the cost,
and the limits of the proposed area of assessment. The notice shall
also state the time and place at which all persons interested, or their
agents or attorneys, may appear before the County Commissioners
and be heard concerning the proposed project and special assess-
ment. Such notice shall be given by sending a copy thereof by certi-
fied mail to the owner of record of each parcel of property proposed
to be assessed and to the person in whose name the property is
assessed for taxation, and by publication of a copy of the notice at
least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. The
Administrative Assistant or the Director of the Department of
Public Works shall present at the hearing a certificate of publica-
tion and a certificate of mailing of copies of the notices, which certifi-
cates shall be deemed proof of notice; but failure of any owner to
receive the mailed copy shall not invalidate the proceedings. The
date of hearing shall be set at least ten, and not more than thirty,
days after the completion of publication and service of notice as
provided in this section. Following the hearing, the County Commis-
sioners, in their discretion, may vote to proceed with the project and
may levy the special assessment by appropriate ordinance.

(5)  Any interested person feeling aggrieved by the levying of any
special assessment under the provisions of this section, has the right
to appeal to the Circuit Court for Harford County within ten days
after the levying of such assessment. The Court, sitting without a
jury, may hear and determine whether the County Commissioners
acted pursuant to the authority granted herein and whether the
benefit assessments levied pursuant to the provisions of this sub-
title are imposed according to law.

(6)  Special assessments may be made payable in annual or more
frequent installments over such period of time, not to exceed ten
years, and in such manner as the County Commissioners may deter-
mine. The County Commissioners shall determine on what date
installments are due and payable. Interest may be charged on install-
ments at a rate to be determined by the County Commissioners.

(7)  All special assessment installments are overdue six months
after the date on which they become due and payable. All special
assessments shall be liens on the property, subject only to State and
County taxes and all overdue special assessments shall be collected
in the same manner as county taxes or by suit at law.

(8) All special assessments shall be billed and collected by the
Treasurer of Harford County.