From Harford County Council District C Councilman Jim McMahan:
NEWS FOR ALL HOMEOWNERS
On January 29, 2013, at C. Milton Wright High School, the Executive Dept. presented a very informative program on the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (House Bill 987) a state mandated program requiring Harford County to collect a fee (tax) from all property owners living outside the three municipalities.
As it stands now, a property owner will receive one bill for the dwelling in which they reside or own, if it is a rental property. If a homeowner lives on acreage, they will only receive one bill for the residence on their property even if the property has more than one deed or more than one tax bill is received for that address.
Agricultural property: You would receive one bill for the primary residence on the property. Barns, outbuildings and tenant houses are excluded.
Property owners may qualify for a reduction in the fee if you make application and do one of the following:
– Have a qualified rain barrel
– Divert the rain water runoff from your home away from the house by approximately 100 feet into a grassy sloping area or a wooded area.
– Have a qualified “Rain Garden”
Home owners who live in developments outside the three municipalities will be required to pay this new fee in addition to any homeowner’s association (HOA) assessment for the upkeep of a storm water management pond in the development.
The tentative fee being considered is $125.00 per residence which most likely will go up in the future.
This is my best attempt to make this state-mandated tax transparent with regard to whom it will affect. If you have any specific questions about who will or will not get a bill, please feel free to reply with your questions to captain7417@gmail.com
A note from the Captain
I was disappointed in the turnout of Harford County Citizens at this well-prepared presentation. My office receives complaints that you are not given the opportunity to be involved and receive information about State of Maryland legislation that Harford County Government is required to disseminate. I am pleased that I can pass this synopsis of the meeting along to my constituents.
FEB 2 – GROUND HOG DAY
FEB 3 –SUPERBOWL – GO RAVENS
Philip Anders says
We the nondemocrats that put O’taxme in office are sick and tired of his tax and spend antics. All these new programs to save the environment by charging only the residents of 10 counties a fee (TAX). What a crock of SH—T! Eventually the only people left in Maryland will be his cronies and let them pay his tax, tax, tax. I for one can’t wait to retire and leave this God forsaken state. Just like the need for more transportation funds. Where is the money taken by O’taxme to balance the budget that was supposed to be repaid, huh! Take, take, take, he’s such a socialist.