A tax to fund a $1.3 billion stream restoration backlog failed before the Anne Arundel County Council on Monday, but officials vowed another stormwater fund would resurface soon.
The council voted 4-3 against the Stormwater Management and Restoration of Tributaries Fund because it would have put an annual fee on property owners based on impervious surfaces.
“I will be submitting legislation in two weeks and will be meeting with those on the council interesting in refining the SMART Fund to arrive at a middle ground,” said County Executive John R. Leopold, who introduced the SMART Fund.
That middle ground won?t contain a tax, though, because Leopold opposed the tax and intended the fund to come from a permit fee on new development.
The three council members ? Ronald Dillon Jr., R-District 3; Jamie Benoit, D-District 4; and Josh Cohen, D-District 6 ? pushing for the tax tried to modify the bill to get a fourth vote and ease Leopold?s concern, including making the fee optional for homeowners.
“I thought we had good amendments … but politically, there was no will to pass them,” Cohen said.
Council Chairwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, said she liked the opt-out amendment and would work on a bill to make that option feasible.
But some council members, such as Ed Reilly, R-District 7, supported Leopold?s bill, and Leopold said he opposes a voluntary fee.
Even public support for the tax didn?t move a fourth vote. An “unholy alliance” of watermen, developers, homeowners, environmentalists and business leaders ? nearly 50 of the 70 people who testified ? favored the tax, telling horror stories about debilitating skin infections from swimming in county waters.
AT A GLANCE
The Stormwater Management and Restoration of Tributaries Fund, as amended, would place a $30 fee on all homeowners making more than $35,000 a year and a $30 fee per 2,500 square feet of commercial and industrial property.
» For: Councilmen Ronald Dillon Jr., R-District 3; Jamie Benoit, D-District 4; and Josh Cohen, D-District 6.
» Against: Council Chairwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5; and Councilmen Daryl Jones, D-District 1; Edward Middlebrooks, R-District 2; and Ed Reilly, R-District 7.
