1274                             Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 608

439M.

Whenever the plans and specifications for water supply, sewerage,
or drainage systems or extensions thereof shall have been completed
and the Commission has decided to proceed with construction, it
shall, when required by this subtitle, by notice in one newspaper
published in the county and such newspapers and technical press
as it may deem proper, advertise for bids for the construction of
the system or systems, in part or as a whole, as in its judgment may
appear advisable. The contract shall be let to the lowest responsible
bidder, or the Commission may reject any or all bids; and, if in its
discretion the prices quoted are unreasonable or unbalanced, it may
readvertise the work or any part of it or may do any part or all of
the work by day labor; provided that at any time the Commission,
in its discretion, may expend by day labor for construction [an
amount not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) without ad-
vertising and receiving bids.] and for supplies and equipment an
amount not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) without ad-
vertising and receiving bids, upon the concurrence of the County
Commissioners of Carroll County. All such contracts shall be pro-
tected by such bonds, penalties, and conditions as the Commission
may require, all of which shall be enforced in any court having
jurisdiction.

439V.

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 be
required to be placed on each water connection by and at the sole
expense of the Commission, and it shall remain the property of the
Commission. Such rates shall be classified within the county in such
a manner as the Commission deems advisable; provided, however, that
such classification shall be based upon the quantities of water used
and shall be, insofar as possible, uniform throughout the county.
If the Commission at any time shall not have meters available to
install in all the properties in a given locality that are connected to
the system, then a flat rate shall be charged on properties in which
meters have not yet been installed, which rate shall be uniform in
each sanitary system and based upon the ready-to-serve charge and
the amount of water used. Bills for water and sewer charges shall
be sent quarterly or semi-annually as the Commission may determine
to each property served and shall be payable at the office of the
Commission or such other place as the Commission may designate.
Such charges shall be a lien upon the property served and collectible
as elsewhere herein provided. If any bill remains unpaid after thirty
(30) days from date of sending, the Commission, after written notice
left upon the premises or mailed to the last known address of the