2186

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 739

THE CONSTRUCTION OF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, THERE MAY BE LEVIED BY
THE BOARD, ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO
BE KNOWN AS A DRAINAGE AREA ASSESSMENT AGAINST ALL OF THE
PROPERTIES WITHIN THE DRAINAGE AREA SERVED BY THE SYSTEM,
WHETHER IMMEDIATELY OR REMOTELY, WHICH THE BOARD MAY
DETERMINE TO BE SPECIFICALLY BENEFITED BY THE SYSTEM, BASED
ON THE AREA OR ON THE ASSESSED VALUE OF ALL OF THE PROPERTY
BELONGING TO ANY OWNER WITHIN THE DRAINAGE AREA AND SO
BENEFITED, WHICH SPECIAL ASSESSMENT SHALL BE UNIFORM
THROUGHOUT THE AREA AFFECTED. THIS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT SHALL
BE MADE ON EITHER AN AREA BASIS OR ON AN ASSESSED VALUATION
BASIS WHICHEVER IS DEEMED MORE EQUITABLE AND JUST BY THE
BOARD, AND THE SELECTION MADE BY THE BOARD SHALL BE FINAL
AND CONCLUSIVE. THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, IF LEVIED, SHALL BE
LEVIED ANNUALLY IN AN AMOUNT DEEMED EQUITABLE AND JUST
(TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE BENEFIT TO THE PROPERTIES IN THE
DRAINAGE AREA) BY THE BOARD AND SHALL BE USED TO MEET ALL OR
A PART OF THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST REQUIREMENTS OF THE
BONDS OUTSTANDING, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WERE USED FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, AND RELATED EXPENSES, OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM
INSTALLED IN THE DRAINAGE AREA. BEFORE THE SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT AS PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION OF THIS SUBTITLE IS
LEVIED, THE BOARD SHALL MAIL TO THE OWNERS OF ALL PROPERTIES
WITHIN THE DRAINAGE AREA OR PART THEREOF UPON WHICH IT
PROPOSES TO LEVY A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, AT THE ADDRESS OF THE
OWNER AS APPEARS FROM THE TAX RECORDS OF CARROLL COUNTY,
NOTICE THAT THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IS TO BE LEVIED AND
GIVING THE PROPERTY OWNERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD
THEREON AT A TIME AND PLACE FIXED IN THE NOTICE. AT THE
HEARING, THE BOARD MAY ADJUST THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT,
MAINTAINING HOWEVER, THE UNIFORMITY OF THE BASE RATE OR
PERCENTAGE OF LEVY.

(B) IN ANY EVENT, THE BOARD SHALL LEVY ANNUALLY, ON
BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, AN AD VALOREM TAX UPON ALL LEGALLY
ASSESSABLE PROPERTY IN A DRAINAGE AREA IN A SUFFICIENT
AMOUNT, TOGETHER WITH ANY DRAINAGE AND ASSESSMENTS AND ANY
OTHER FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THE PURPOSE, TO MEET THE PRINCIPAL
AND INTEREST REQUIREMENTS, WHEN DUE, OF ANY BONDS
OUTSTANDING, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WERE USED FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, AND RELATED EXPENSES, OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM
INSTALLED IN A DRAINAGE AREA.

15-21.

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this
subtitle the [Commission] COUNTY may make a charge for every
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 water [,] AND sewerage [and
drainage] systems and the operation and maintenance thereof
and for the purchase of equipment and supplies necessary to
the operation of the [Commission] BOARD. Connection charges
may be established from time to time by the [Commission
subject to the approval of the] Board. Such charges may be
based upon such reasonable classifications as the
[Commission] BOARD may determine and such classifications