Howard residents receiving just water services from the county will not get a chance for a tax credit, as state lawmakers rejected a measure intended to give a break to those in the so-called “water only” service area.
The local bill, opposed by County Executive Ken Ulman?s administration, would have authorized the county to grant a property tax credit for residents who receive only water, rather than water and sewer services.
Residents in the eastern part of the county pay an ad valorum tax, a property tax based on the assessed property value that helps cover infrastructure for water and sewer projects.
But Howard doesn?t determine which part of that tax pays for sewer and water projects, and a change would require reworking the county?s financial system, county officials said.
“This is a utility, and the charges are shared,” county Budget Director Ray Wacks told the delegation.
“If we reduce this charge, it means someone else has to pick up that charge.”
Republican Dels. Gail Bates and Warren Miller, and Sen. Allan Kittleman, who sponsored the bill, voted for it, and the rest of the delegation voted against it.
Kittleman likened it to the county fire tax, which is lower in the western county because residents receive less service.
It?s unfair for those receiving just water to pay taxes for water and sewer, he said.
“I?m very disappointed that County Executive Ulman would object to legislation that provides an opportunity for the county to give a tax credit,” he said.
Mobile home parks
Also Wednesday, Howard?s delegation approved a measure that would grant certain rights to mobile home park owners, sending the measure to the General Assembly.
The measure requires park owners to notify residents of an offer to sell the park, giving them an opportunity to make an offer to buy it.
Lawmakers included an amendment that would prohibit the title of the property to be transferred if the owner did not comply with the law.
Additional changes to the proposal could occur when the bill reaches a committee, lawmakers said.
