5182

COUNTY LOCAL LAWS

public notice and participation in the disposition of
public property no longer needed for public use; and

THEREFORE, the following procedure shall be utilized
in Howard County for the disposition of real property no
longer needed for public purposes.

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF
HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND that Section 4.201, be and is
hereby added to added to Title 4 of the Howard County
Code, "Contracts and Purchasing," Subtitle 2, "Real
Property," to read as follows:

4.201 - DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY

ANY PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY THE COUNTY BY GIFT,
PURCHASE, LEASE, CONDEMNATION OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT BY OR
THROUGH A TAX SALE, AND NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC
PURPOSES MAY BE DISPOSED OF AS THE COUNCIL MAY BY
RESOLUTION PROVIDE. THE COUNCIL SHALL IN THE RESOLUTION
PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY, DECLARE
THAT THE SAME IS NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES AND
SHALL AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SELL THE SAME BY
FORMAL, WRITTEN CONTRACT TO THE HIGHEST RESPONSIBLE
BIDDER, AFTER PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT INVITING PROPOSALS FOR
THREE SUCCESSIVE WEEKS IN ONE OR MORE NEWSPAPERS OF
GENERAL CIRCULATION PUBLISHED IN HOWARD COUNTY. THE
ADVERTISEMENT SHALL STATE THE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF
THE PROPERTY AND SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE COUNCIL
MAY PROVIDE. THE COUNCIL MAY IN ITS RESOLUTION, PROVIDE
THAT THE SALE OF SAID PUBLIC PROPERTY SHALL BE BY PUBLIC
AUCTION, GIVING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF; AND
SAID AUCTION SHALL BE ADVERTISED AS TO TIME AND PLACE FOR
THREE CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN ONE OR MORE NEWSPAPERS OF
GENERAL CIRCULATION IN HOWARD COUNTY, STATING THE
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY AND SUCH TERMS
AND CONDITIONS AS THE COUNCIL MAY PROVIDE.

(2) ANY REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY THE COUNTY AS
REGULAR TAX SALES CONDUCTED UNDER ARTICLE 81 OF THE CODE
OF PUBLIC GENERAL LAWS IS HEREBY DEEMED NOT NEEDED FOR
PUBLIC PURPOSE. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE SHALL CAUSE TO BE
KEPT A CURRENT INVENTORY OF ALL PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY THE
COUNTY AT REGULAR TAX SALES, WHICH INVENTORY SHALL BE
OFFERED FOR REVIEW TO VARIOUS COUNTY AND STATE AGENCIES;
AND SAID AGENCIES SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL
TO ACQUIRE ANY OR ALL OF THE SEVERAL PARCELS BY PAYMENT
TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE OR BY TRANSFER OF
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF ALL COSTS INCURRED AND
BACK TAXES LOST BY HOWARD COUNTY AS A RESULT OF THE
ACQUISITION OF THE SAID PARCEL OR PARCELS. THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO SELL ALL OR SEVERAL OF
THE PARCELS OF SUCH REAL PROPERTY PROVIDED NO COUNTY OR
STATE AGENCY HAS INDICATED ITS DESIRE TO ACQUIRE SAID