Ch. 659

LAWS OF MARYLAND

THE PURCHASE, EXPANSION OR DEVELOPMENT OF WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS
TO BE ACQUIRED, CONSTRUCTED OR RECONSTRUCTED BY THE COUNTY AND
CONSOLIDATED WITH THE COUNTY'S SYSTEM AND TO THE EXTENT
PRACTICABLE AFTER GIVING DUE CONSIDERATION TO THE FINANCIAL
CONDITION OF THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO INCUR
INDEBTEDNESS FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSES, THE COUNTY SHALL ENDEAVOR TO
PROVIDE FOR ANNUAL DEBT SERVICE ON SUCH ISSUE OF BONDS FROM THE
FUNDS PROVIDED BY CONNECTION CHARGES DESCRIBED IN SECTION
2-13-22. IF NECESSARY, THE COUNTY SHALL LEVY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
OR OTHER CHARGES WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH SYSTEM IN SUCH A
MANNER AS TO PROVIDE A PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE ANNUAL DEBT
SERVICE ON THE ISSUE OF BONDS EQUAL TO THE PROPORTION OF THE
PROCEEDS OF THE ISSUE EXPENDED FOR THE SYSTEM.

2-13-23.

(A) For the purpose of providing funds for maintaining,
repairing, and operating its water and sewerage systems[,] and
for its operation and other expenses, including property
depreciation allowances, and for interest on and the retirement
of bonds as specified in this chapter, the board 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 connection 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 county,
and it shall remain the property of the county. [Such] THE rates
shall be classified within Frederick County in [such a] WHATEVER
manner [as] the board deems advisable[; provided, however, that
such]. HOWEVER, THE classification shall be based upon the
quantities of water used and shall be, insofar as possible,
uniform throughout Frederick County. If the board at any time
[shall] DOES 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]. THAT rate shall be uniform
in each system and based upon the ready-to-serve charge and the
amount of water used. Bills for water and sewer charges shall be
sent EITHER quarterly or semiannually, as the board [may
determine] DETERMINES, to each property served and shall be
payable at the office of the board or [such] WHATEVER other place
[as] the board [may designate] DESIGNATES. [Such] THE charges
shall be a lien upon the property served and collectible as
elsewhere [herein] provided. If any bill remains unpaid [after
thirty (30)] 30 days [from] AFTER THE date [of sending] IT WAS
SENT, the board, after written notice left upon the premises or
mailed to the last known address of the owner, shall turn off the
water from the property in question[; and the]. THE water

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