From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Maryland IMPOSES a RAIN TAX on HOMEOWNERS

I bet you did not see this one coming! Was sitting in my home office working on other issues, e.g., TIFs, policies and procedures for advisory bodies, etc., and I get this question "Please explain the new rain taxes that's going into place on July 1." What rain tax? The City is not imposing a rain tax. Response, no, it's that Governor O'Malley that you ran around getting everybody to vote for who is imposing the rain tax. Left standing with my mouth wide open.

So, now, I have to stop what I am doing and figure out what I missed. You got it, I missed the impervious surface tax. Maryland lawmakers passed an "Impervious Surfaces" tax that is also being called the "Rain Tax."

The rain-tax program is designed to pay for upgrades to plants that treat stormwater and thus reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous flowing into the bay from rainwater that flows off development’s impervious surfaces -- roofs, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, for example.
Stormwater management fees must be in place by July 1, and property owners are in for some sticker shock.

State leaders are already muttering about making changes, including exempting nonprofits and churches. Homeowners associations and businesses with large parking lots are also set to be hit hard, because the fees are based on sizes of impervious surfaces owned.

Mayor and Council did address this issue, but as stormwater utility fee and whether or not the City should try to take this on or go with the County. We opted to go with the County, and some how did not deal with what that would mean. EACH COUNTY (there are 10), gets to set the fee and the amount to be paid as well as any waivers.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/22053317/chesapeake-bay-foundation-explains-maryland-rain-tax#ixzz2U2UI1sdm
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What does this mean to Mount Rainier residents? A lot! If you live in Mount Rainier (the County or nine other counties in Maryland) you will be taxed for impervious surfaces (does not let the water go down into the ground, instead it runs off into the Chesapeake) in your yard, e.g., your concrete drive way, the roof on your house, etc.

This law goes into affect, Monday, July 1, 2013. How much it will cost you? WHO KNOWS?

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.