Drum Point Property Owners Association President Gary Heal, right, makes his case for the five-year special taxing district before the Calvert County Commissioners.
Lusby, MD – In the past, the subject of levying a special road tax on residents of the waterside community of Drum Point has produced fireworks. This year, the only fireworks in the area will occur on the Fourth of July. The June 27 public hearing to establish a special tax district (STD) in the Lusby subdivision was done in less than 20 minutes. If Calvert’s five county commissioners hadn’t had so many nice things to say about Drum Point and its current homeowners’ association leadership it might have been over sooner. The hearing was held at Southern Community Center.
Drum Point’s current STD is due to expire June 30. The Drum Point Property Owners Association (DPPOA) petitioned Calvert County Government to assess the special tax upon all properties in the community in the amount of $115 per year for the next five years. “The collections would be used by Drum Point to fund improvements for the benefit of property owners within that subdivision,” stated County Attorney John Norris in a memo to the commissioners.
The sole purpose for the new STD would be for road improvements, infrastructure related to roads as approved by the county government’s Department of Public Works plus administrative and maintenance costs, and expenses associated with roads and road infrastructure. Norris explained during the hearing that the county collects the special tax. “The money is administered by the county and dispersed on a reimbursement basis.”
“I find it refreshing that the administrative cost is only 3 percent,” said DPPOA Board President Gary Heal. In a resolution signed by Heal, DPPOA officials noted Drum Point has 15.2 miles of paved roads within its boundaries.
The only public comments came from DPPOA Board members, who praised Heal for his leadership and touted the substantial infrastructure improvements. One speaker noted the STD also makes Drum Point eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds in the event the community sustains damage during a disaster, such as a hurricane.
“We need a strong background and revenue stream,” said DPPOA Board member John Ramirez.
Norris read into the record the only comment submitted in writing. The missive from a part-time resident who supported the STD and indicated he would even support an amount higher than $115 annually.
“I think Drum Point is a jewel to this county,” said Commissioner Pat Nutter [R – District 2].
Commissioner Mike Hart [R – District 1] stated that he spent a portion of his boyhood in the Drum Point community, noting that back in the day, the community’s roads were paved with mud. “What it looks like today is phenomenal,” said Hart.
After the commissioners voted to approve the five-year STD, Heal told TheBayNet.com that he was somewhat surprised that the hearing lacked the stridency of past community meetings, such as last year’s hearing. “I assume it’s because we’ve proved over the last year it [STD] works,” said Heal.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com