Harford wants to become Maryland?s first county to levy new taxes on BRAC-related development to pay for additional schools, roads, water and sewer to accommodate the population boom.
Under legislation proposed by County Executive David Craig, special tax districts would be set up for areas most affected by the Base Realignment and Closure process, expected to bring 19,000 new jobs and 7,000 new households to Harford.
The tax districts would have to be approved by the state legislature, and County Council members have joined Craig in asking the Harford General Assembly delegation to support them.
“It?s about future development paying for itself,” Council President Billy Boniface said.
The proposed legislation would allow developers and landowners within the county?s development envelope ? the zones surrounding Bel Air and the Route 40 corridor ? to opt in to collecting and paying the additional tax, Boniface said.
The tax district could become a bargaining chip for developers as they negotiate new projects to keep up with the population growth.
Along with state approval, the measure would require county legislation, public hearings and consent of all the developers in a proposed district.
“Nobody just gets stuck with this tax,” Boniface said. “No one is being forced into this.”
Creating special tax districts had been recommended by the state in the BRAC Action Plan released last month, and Harford has led the state by example in preparing for the growth, Boniface said.
Several other counties likely will ask the legislature for authority to enact similar taxes when the General Assembly convenes next week, he said. But state Sen. Nancy Jacobs, who opposes the tax districts, noted constituents have already been burdened by tax increases passed during the special session.
“Any legislation asking for new or additional taxes is dead on arrival” in the Senate, she said.
Still, Boniface said he?s hopeful. He noted developers would have to agree to the taxes and that Del. Barry Glassman, sworn in as a state senator Thursday to replace the retiring Sen. Robert Hooper, has expressed support for them.
“The economy?s off, there?s an increasing burden on local governments to deal with costs the state?s passed on to us, and we?re dealing with projects to prepare for BRAC,” he said. “We?re just doing our due diligence to make sure we have every tool possible on our belts.”
