Anne Arundel County Council Modifies Stormwater Fees

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Anne Arundel County property owners are getting a break on a new stormwater fee.

The county council voted Monday to limit commercial property owners' fees at 25 percent of their property tax bill and phase in homeowners' fees.

The Capital of Annapolis reports that property owners with bills of $500 or more will pay 60 percent in 2014, 80 percent in 2015 and 100 percent in 2016.

The changes respond to protests to a bill passed over the county executive's veto last month.

A General Assembly bill passed last year directs 10 jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel County, to establish the fee to pay for Chesapeake Bay watershed cleanup by July 1 or face fines.

The council will consider four more bills that would cut the fees further.
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