MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

327

THEREON, FROM THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY SERVED IN THE
SAME MANNER, AND SUBJECT TO THE SAME INTEREST, AS TAXES
ARE COLLECTIBLE IN THE COUNTY.

(L) PUBLICATION AND PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CHARGES;
LIENS; PUBLIC RECORDS; COLLECTION OF UNPAID BILLS.

(1)    PUBLICATION AND PUBLIC HEARINGS. AT
SUCH TIME AS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY DECIDE TO
EXERCISE THE POWERS UNDER THIS SECTION AND ESTABLISH
RATES, CHARGES OR ASSESSMENTS AS PROVIDED HEREIN, OR MAY
DECIDE TO MODIFY RATES, CHARGES OR ASSESSMENTS WHICH THEY
HAVE PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED, THEY SHALL PROMPTLY AFTER
EACH SUCH DECISION GIVE NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED PATES,
CHARGES OR ASSESSMENTS, AND THEIR INTENTION TO HOLD A
PUBLIC HEARING RELATING THERETO, IN AT LEAST ONE
NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY. THE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL THEREAFTER CONDUCT A PUBLIC
HEARING ON THE NECESSITY OR ADVISABILITY OF THE PROPOSED
RATES, CHARGES OR ASSESSMENTS.

(2)    CHARGES TO CONSTITUTE LIENS. AN ANNUAL
BENEFIT ASSESSMENT OR OTHER CHARGE AS ABOVE SPECIFIED,
INCLUDING ANY PENALTY OR INTEREST THEREON, SHALL BE A
FIRST 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 COUNTY TREASURER, AND IF AFTER
SALE THERE IS A SURPLUS AFTER ALL COSTS AND EXPENSES
INCIDENT TO SUCH SALE SHALL HAVE BEEN PAID, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS UPON PROPER PETITION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT
FOR CHARLES COUNTY SHALL BE ALLOWED ANY BALANCE FROM THE
SURPLUS, AND SHALL BE A PREFERRED LIENOR TO THE EXTEND OF
THEIR LIEN.

(3)    PUBLIC RECORDS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF
GIVING NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS TO EXISTING LIENS
AND CHARGES AGAINST ANY PROPERTY WITHIN THE SPECIAL
TAXING DISTRICT ABUTTING UPON ANY WATER OR SEWER MAIN, OR
CONNECTED THERETO, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 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 AS A PUBLIC
RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR SUCH
OTHER PLACE AS THEY MAY DESIGNATE, AND AMONG THE LAND
RECORDS OF THE COUNTY, AND WHEN SO KEPT SHALL BE LEGAL
NOTICE OF ALL EXISTING LIENS WITHIN THE SPECIAL TAXING
DISTRICT. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY DIRECT THE COUNTY
TREASURER TO PRINT A NOTICE ON THE STATE AND COUNTY TAX
BILLS THAT BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER CHARGES AS
PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION MUST BE PAID IN THE OFFICE OF
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR SUCH OTHER PLACE AS THE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY DESIGNATE.

(4) COLLECTION OF UNPAID BILLS. IF BILLS