Jul. 5, 2012
The Garrett County commissioners are reminding local property owners and visitors about two issues: the increase in the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fee (“flush tax”) and the new security system at the courthouse.
A change in the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fee has taken place for the tax year beginning on July 1. Legislation was passed this year in the Maryland General Assembly, doubling the fee from $30 to $60 annually for properties whose on site sewage disposal systems (septic system) are located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and for properties that are connected to either a public water and/or sewer system and whose wastewater is treated by a facility that discharges in the watershed.
For properties that have a septic system and a private water supply, the fee will be reflected on the owners’ annual property tax bills.
For those properties located within the watershed that are connected to either a public water and/or sewer system, this fee change equates to an increase from $2.50 to $5 per month, or $7.50 per to $15 per quarter. The Bay Restoration Fee will be reflected on the quarterly water/sewer bill for properties connected to a public water and/or sewer system.
“The county has made every possible attempt to accurately assess the correct fees for every Garrett County property tax account,” county administrator Monty Pagenhardt. “If you believe the Bay Restoration Fee that you are billed is in error, please contact the Garrett County Department of Financial Services at 301-334-8985 or by e-mail at bayrestorationfee@garrettcounty.org.
Residents and visitors are also reminded that they must use the Alder Street entrance when conducting business at the county courthouse in Oakland.
A new security system has been installed in the courthouse building, and individuals must pass through security upon entering the building. Handicapped individuals may use the entrance located off the alley between St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the courthouse.
More here.
— Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Senate approves doubling of flush tax for most of state
Areas not in Chesapeake, coastal watersheds exempted from increase
by Danielle E. Gaines, Staff Writer
The Maryland Senate approved on Saturday a bill that would double the flat-rate flush tax on water and sewer bills for most state residents.
The measure is one of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s (D) legislative priorities for the year….
…In a last-minute change, the Senate approved an amendment from Sen. George C. Edwards (R-Dist. 1) of Grantsville that would exempt any properties not located in the Chesapeake or coastal watersheds from paying the increased tax.
Those areas the westernmost portion of Garrett County and possibly some areas on the shore that drain directly into the Atlantic Ocean would continue to pay the $30 annual fee.
More here.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
General Assembly increases flush tax, sends to O'Malley
by Annie Linskey
11:48 a.m. EDT, April 9, 2012
Maryland’s House of Delegates just passed a bill that doubles the “flush tax” — a fee on water use — sending it to Gov. Martin O’Malleyfor his signature. Passing the bill was a key part of the governor’s agenda this year.
The bill increases the fee from $2.50 per household per month to $5. Funds will be used to upgrade wastewater faciliites. It passed the House 89 to 48.
The bill (HB 446) was amended to exclude parts of the state, like Garrett County and parts of the Eastern Shore, that are not part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Del. Maggie McIntosh, the House floor leader, said the change would not have a “material” impact on the funds raised by the change.
More here.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
House passes budget, pension shift, education mandate, tax increase and flush tax
By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun
2:20 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2012
The House of Delegates gave its approval to Gov.Martin O’Malley’s proposed state budget last year, along with its version of his decision to shift part of the responsibility for teacher pension costs to county governments, an increase in income taxes and a mandate that counties keep up a minimum level of spending on education.
The vote on the budget was 95-43. The tally was mostly along party lines, with Baltimore County Democrats Michael H. Weir Jr. and Joseph J. “Sonny” Minnick voting against and Garrett County Republican Wendell Beitzel voting for it.
The budget reconcililiation act, which included the pension shift, passed 88-50 as a handful of liberal Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the measure.
More here.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Del. Beitzel Proposes Amendment To "Lock Down" Chesapeake Bay Fund
Jan. 26, 2012
With the likelihood that the General Assembly will be asked to double, triple, or even quadruple fees paid by Maryland’s citizens for Chesapeake Bay cleanup, Del. Wendell Beitzel filed House Bill 121. The bill would amend the Maryland State Constitution to prohibit, or “lock down,” the transfer of funds from the two major sources of revenue for bay cleanup efforts in the state.
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The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund was established in 2004 for the purpose of providing funds for bay cleanup, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, cover crop funds, and septic system upgrades. One of the sources of funding is an annual fee, which has popularly been called the “flush tax.”
“Each year, Maryland’s citizens are required to pay for cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay,” Beitzel said. “This bill simply provides that if citizens are told that the fees they are paying are dedicated for bay restoration, then government should be required to use the funds only for this purpose.”
During the 2011 General Assembly session, Gov. Martin O’Malley’s budget transferred $290 million from the Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays’ 2010 Trust Fund into the state’s general fund. The funds are to be replenished with general obligations bonds, which require additional interest costs and limits the amount of bond funds available for other state capital projects, according to Beitzel.
More here.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Proposed Doubling Of Flush Tax Worries Some Legislators
Jan. 26, 2012
by Ellen Stodola
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS – A number of legislators are concerned that Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to raise the flush tax from $2.50 to $5 a month to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay could be too much for constituents to handle, especially in a bad economy.
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The flush tax, which raises funds for updates of wastewater treatment plants, as well as septic systems and stormwater management, costs each household a total of $30 a year. But O’Malley’s proposal for the Bay Restoration Fund ties the fee to consumption, with $5 being the average that most people will pay per month. Those who use less water could pay less, but high-volume users could pay upwards of $60 a year.
Though many legislators agree that the Chesapeake Bay is a priority, they also have to consider what this would mean for Maryland residents.
“Believe me, I’m on the side of cleaning the bay up,” said Delegate Jay Jacobs, R-Kent. “But it’s going to be a very difficult year for me to vote for any increase.”
More here.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
