Developers of environmentally sensitive projects would get tax breaks, stores could sell alcohol on Sunday and penalties against owners of vicious animals would be increased under bills backed by Carroll?s General Assembly delegation.
The green-building measure would give the county state authorization to set up the tax credits, but details would be left to Carroll commissioners.
The bill lists several accepted green initiatives ? water conservation, recycling and energy-efficient technology such as solar power but would allow commissioners to add others.
Tax incentives for green buildings would entice more developers to choose Carroll, county officials say.
That, in turn, would build the county?s tax base, say the officials. While some other counties mandate green standards, incentives could pull in greater overall tax revenue from more businesses, said Larry Twele, Carroll?s economic development director.
Under other bills the delegation is pushing:
» Liquor stores could sell alcohol on Sundays. This would keep them competitive with businesses in surrounding counties, the measure?s backers say. In towns such as Mount Airy, stores lose business to others that may be just across the street in Frederick County, which has seven-day licenses for alcohol sales.
» Selling tobacco to people younger than 18 would become a civil violation punishable by a fine up to $300 for the first offense. About two-thirds of stores in the county do not sell to minors, by the health department?s count, said Larry Leitch, the county?s health officer, but in recent years progress has been stymied.
» Attacks by vicious dogs could cost owners up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. The bill would double the current fine and triple the amount of jail time.
The county can impose a fine on owners if their dogs attack and injure people. But when the owners appeal, it is taken to court, and the state gets the money, said Carolyn Ratliff, head of the humane society.
With more possible jail time hanging over owners? heads, Ratliff said, they would be more inclined to just pay the county and avoid court.
» State?s Attorney Jerry Barnes is asking for a 20 percent salary increase, from about $98,000 to $123,000 a year.
Sen. Larry Haines, R-District 5, said that if the delegation decides to introduce the raise, it would wait until the fall to do so.
