A “yea” vote for a possible stormwater tax could mean a “nay” vote for a bill aiming to fund $1.3 billion in stream restoration in Anne Arundel.
“I?m not sure we have the votes to pass the bill,” said Councilman Josh Cohen, D-District 6, who pushed for the changes to the Stormwater Management and Restoration of Tributaries Fund at Monday?s council meeting.
Councilman Edward Middlebrooks, R-District 2, was the fourth vote supporting a fee on all impervious surfaces, including rooftops and parking lots, in the county.
But with his vote to amend the SMART Fund to make it a tax, Middlebrooks ? an ardent opponent of the fund ? may have succeeded in killing the bill by tacking on an unpopular amendment.
“I know what I did would do damage tothe bill,” Middlebrooks said Tuesday.
“I oppose the bill, but I think the public?s entitled to a debate and a public hearing,” noting Cohen?s amendment came three days before the meeting.
Councilman Ed Reilly, R-District 7, said he opposed the amendment but supported the bill. Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, said she found several technical flaws with the amendment and couldn?t support it.
If public sentiment and lobbying don?t sway minds in the next two weeks, the bill as amended may not have four votes, officials said.
But if the bill passes, County Executive John R. Leopold could veto it. Leopold first introduced the bill as a permit fee on new impervious surfaces and has strongly opposed any kind of new tax.
“I never discuss a veto until the bill is in front of me,” Leopold said. “Baseball games are nine innings, and this contest still has two innings to go.”
AT A GLANCE
The Anne Arundel County Council voted for an amendment to tax properties for their impervious surface.
Homeowners making more than $35,000 would pay $30 a year, and commercial properties would pay $30 per 2,500 square feet up to $25,000. It would generate $10 million.
» For: Councilmen Ronald Dillion Jr., R-District 3; Edward Middlebrooks, R-District 2; Josh Cohen, D-District 6; and Jamie Benoit, D-District 4.
» Against: Councilmen Ed Reilly, R-District 7, and Daryl Jones, D-District 1, and Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5.
The vote amended the bill that goes up for vote at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at 44 Calvert St.
For more information, visit www.aacounty.org.
