SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                           1197

of land or lots abutting upon the system and which contribution the
Commission has determined to be a factor in the cost to the Com-
mission of such system, the Commission in its discretion may levy
such lesser assessment as may take into account this factor.

(e)   The amount of the assessment per front foot for each class
of property for water sewer and drainage systems may be reduced
from time to time by the Commission in its discretion, if cost and
conditions are deemed by it to justify the reduction but may be
subsequently increased in the amount of original assessment in the
event revenues prove to be insufficient. The benefit assessments
shall be paid annually by all properties located as above specified
for a period of years co-extensive with the period of maturity of the
bonds out of the proceeds of which such construction was done.

(f)   The Commission may at any time permit a connection with
a water main or sewer by a property owner whose property does not
abut on a water main or sewer and who has not previously paid a
benefit charge for the construction of said water main or sewer,
provided, the Commission classifies the property and determines a
front foot assessment to be paid by the property owner as though
the property abutted upon a water main or sewer; and if the con-
nection is made, the property owner and the property as to all
charges, rates and benefits stand in every respect in the same position
as if the property abutted upon a water main or sewer.

(g)   The annual benefit assessment or other charge as above speci-
fied is a lien upon the property against which it is assessed until paid,
any statute of limitations to the contrary notwithstanding, subject
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 the sale there is a surplus after all costs and expenses inci-
dent 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 exist-
ing 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 or 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 Frederick 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 Metropolitan Commission or elsewhere as the Commission may
designate.

10A18. 20.

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subheading
the Commission may make a charge for every drainage sewer and
water connection. 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