LEONARDTOWN, Md. – St. Mary’s County Commissioners are considering an additional tax on new construction in the county. They’ll take up the proposed excise tax at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 29 at 9 am.
Commissioner are expected to weigh in with their position on implementing these new fees. If passed, the proposed ordinance give allows the county to impose and additional excise tax on any new building constructed in the county.
The commissioners will determine what types of new construction are subject to that tax. According to the proposed ordinance the rate may vary depending on the type of construction. All revenue from the tax would go to the county’s general fund.
Unlike development fees, the tax is not tied to the actual impact the construction is expected to have of local utilities and services. The county would not be required to prove the amount of the impact and the fees are not subject to judicial review.
St. Mary’s County Commissioners meetings are streamed live on YouTube at 9 am.
A joint public meeting with the St. Mary’s County Delegation and the County Commissioners is also scheduled for 6pm on October 6.