PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 719

(2) the extent that the similar services and programs are funded by property
tax-revenues.

[(d)](E) The county property tax rate for assessments of property located in a
municipal corporation is not required to be;

(1) the same as the rate for property located in other municipal corporations
in the county; or

(2) the same as the rate set in a prior year.

[(e)] (F) Instead of imposing a county property tax at a lesser rate for assessments
of property in a municipal corporation, the governing body of the county may make a
payment to a municipal corporation to aid the municipal corporation in funding
municipal corporation services or programs that are similar to county services or
programs.

(G) (1) AT LEAST 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE THAT THE ANNUAL
COUNTY BUDGET IS REQUIRED TO BE APPROVED, A COUNTY AND EACH MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION IN THE COUNTY THAT DESIRES A PROPERTY TAX SETOFF SHALL
SUBMIT TO EACH OTHER A PROPOSAL THAT STATES THE DESIRED LEVEL OF
PROPERTY TAX SETOFF FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

(2) AFTER RECEIVING A PROPOSAL FROM A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
REQUESTING A SETOFF, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY SHALL PROMPTLY
SUBMIT TO THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION FINANCIAL RECORDS AND OTHER
DOCUMENTATION REGARDING COUNTY REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.

(H) (1) (I) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY REQUEST THAT
A MEDIATOR FROM TIE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS BE APPOINTED TO
WORK WITH THE AFFECTED PARTIES.

(II) THE COSTS SHALL BE PAID BY THE PARTY REQUESTING THE
MEDIATION UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $2,000.

(2) (I) A COUNTY AND A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY JOINTLY
AGREE TO PURSUE AN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE.

(II) THE COSTS SHALL BE PAID EQUALLY BY THE PARTIES.

(I) (1) AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE THAT THE ANNUAL
COUNTY BUDGET IS REQUIRED TO BE APPROVED, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF A CHARTER COUNTY SHALL SUBMIT A FINAL
PROPOSAL TO EACH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION THAT HAS REQUESTED A SETOFF.

(2) THE FINAL PROPOSAL SHALL CONTAIN AN EXPLANATION OF THE
LEVEL OF PROPERTY TAX SETOFF THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL
TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY.

(J) (1) AT LEAST 45 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE THAT THE ANNUAL COUNTY
BUDGET IS REQUIRED TO BE APPROVED, THE GOVERNING BODY SHALL TAKE FINAL
ACTION ON ITS PROPOSED SETOFFS AND NOTIFY EACH MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
THAT HAS REQUESTED A SETOFF OF THE EXACT PROPERTY TAX SETOFF THAT IT

- 4111 -