Ch. 319

LAWS OF MARYLAND

ASSESSMENTS WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IS LEGAL NOTICE
OF THE LIENS.

97-4.

(A)  ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 OF EACH YEAR, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SHALL CERTIFY ITS BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS TO THE COUNTY
TREASURER FOR COLLECTION FROM THE PROPERTY OWNERS AFFECTED.

(B)  THE TREASURER SHALL ADD THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS TO THE
STATE AND COUNTY PROPERTY TAX BILLS FOR COLLECTION, SUBJECT TO
DISCOUNT AND INTEREST ALLOWANCES OR CHARGES AS ARE NOW PROVIDED
BY LAW FOR CHARLES COUNTY TAXES ON REAL PROPERTY. IF A PROPERTY
OWNER FAILS TO PAY A BENEFIT ASSESSMENT, THE ASSESSMENT SUM MAY
BE DEDUCTED FROM ANY SURPLUS IN THE HANDS OF THE TREASURER AFTER
SALE, UNDER ORDER OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, FOR NONPAYMENT OF STATE
AND COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES. IN THE ALTERNATIVE, THE LIEN CREATED
IN FAVOR OF THE ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT MAY BE ENFORCED BY BILL
IN EQUITY OR BY ACTION AT LAW.

(C)  A DEED OR CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED BY THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE UNTIL PROOF OF PAYMENT OF
ALL BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS HAS BEEN MADE TO THE TRANSFER CLERK.

97-5.

BEFORE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS EXERCISE THE POWERS GRANTED
BY THIS ARTICLE, THERE SHALL BE:

(1)  A PETITION FILED BY A MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY
OWNERS, AS PROVIDED UNDER § 97-2 OF THIS ARTICLE WHOSE PROPERTY
IS SERVED BY THE PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM THAT REQUESTS ACQUISITION
AND IMPROVEMENT THE COUNTY TO ACQUIRE AND IMPROVE THE PRIVATE
WATER SYSTEM;                                                   

(2)  A PUBLIC HEARING UPON THE PETITION AFTER 10 DAYS
NOTICE IN A NEWSPAPER REGULARLY PUBLISHED IN CHARLES COUNTY;

(3)  THE APPROVAL OF THE PETITION BY THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS; AND

(4)  THE PASSAGE OF AN APPROPRIATE ORDINANCE UNDER §
97-2 OF THIS ARTICLE THAT STATES:

(I)  THE IMPROVEMENTS BEING CONSTRUCTED ACQUIRED
OR IMPROVED;

(II)  THE PROPERTY OWNERS AFFECTED; AND

(III)  ALL MATERIAL TERMS OF THE ANNUAL BENEFIT
ASSESSMENTS TO BE LEVIED TO PAY THE COST OF THE IMPROVEMENT AND
ACQUISITION, OR ANY REASONABLE PORTION OF THE COST, AS DETERMINED
BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

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