Waterfront Management District

Baltimore City Code art. 14, subtit. 8

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-1 Findings.

§ 8-1. Findings. (a) Importance of Inner Harbor and Waterfront. (1) The Inner Harbor of the Patapsco River is the civic, financial, and symbolic heart of Baltimore City. (2) The area fronting on the Inner Harbor (the “Waterfront”) is home to many of Baltimore’s largest employers. (3) The Inner Harbor is the center of tourism for the City and State, attracting over 12 million visitors a year. It was the development of the Inner Harbor that first spawned the creation of a tourism industry in Baltimore, now considered to be the Baltimore area’s seventh largest employer. (4) The Waterfront is an important part of the City’s tax base; the Inner Harbor alone contributed over $60 million in tax revenues to the City in 2005. (5) The Waterfront is the site of some of the region’s largest real estate investments and, as a result of the location and quality of development, many office tenants and residents are relocating here from outside the City. (6) The Waterfront is a critical link to the long term health of the City and region. (b) Opportunities facing City. (1) The Waterfront is undeniably a tremendous asset to the region. Still, to remain competitive as a destination, the Waterfront must be on a par with first-class destinations around the world. (2) A study conducted by the Greater Baltimore Committee in 2005 concluded that “the Inner Harbor suffered from a complete lack of focus and attention to the quality of its facilities, supervision of responsibilities, and maintenance of the integrity of the harbor and its activities”. (3) More specifically, the study focused on two key deficiencies: (i) the lack of a single person, government, or quasi-governmental entity that is charged with the specific oversight of the management and operation of the Harbor; and (ii) the lack of money or the influence to secure the needed manpower and equipment resources necessary to maintain the care and upkeep of the Inner Harbor properly. (4) In 2006, a Task Force recommended that a business improvement or special benefits district be created that would advocate for, participate in, and financially support City and private sector efforts to create and maintain a world-class system of public and private parks, promenades, and open spaces in the Inner Harbor. (5) In order to establish the Waterfront as a world-class destination, additional steps must be taken to create a consistently clean, attractive, easy to navigate, and appealing experience for residents, workers, and visitors along Baltimore’s waterfront area. (c) Special Benefit Districts. (1) A special benefit district is a mechanism by which property owners within a defined area can agree to impose additional taxes and charges on themselves in order to provide enhanced and supplemental public services. (2) Critical to the success of a benefit district is the creation of a partnership between the public and private sector, with the public sector committing to maintain services at specified levels and the private sector agreeing to accept new taxes and charges for the purpose of supplementing public services. (3) This kind of a district in Baltimore cannot be successful without the full cooperation of the City, the State of Maryland, and the various private property owners within the district. (d) Council considerations. (1) The City Council has considered the materials presented that reflect the compelling reasons for creation of a special benefits district. (2) The Council has considered the comments and suggestions of property owners, retail merchants, hotel operators and owners, office property tenants, service providers, and neighborhood organizations that represent interests along the Waterfront area. (3) The Council has considered the fact that, while the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc., has operated successfully along the waterfront for approximately 18 months and has provided noticeable improvements to the attractiveness of the Waterfront and the overall experience for visitors to the Waterfront, the ability to provide a consistent set of services and to maintain a high quality standard requires a consistent and reliable funding stream. The assessment system for a benefit district provides an uncomplicated, direct and fair funding process. (4) The Council has given consideration to and made the findings required by City Charter Article II, § 63. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-2 District created; boundaries.

§ 8-2. District created; boundaries. (a) In general. (1) There is a community benefits district, to be known as the Waterfront Management District (the “District”), within the following boundaries: (i) Beginning for the same at the point formed by the intersection of the east side of Light Street, varying in width, and the south side of Pratt Street, 65 feet wide, and running thence binding on the south side of said Pratt Street, Easterly 329.1 feet, more or less, to intersect the west side of Calvert Street, varying in width; thence binding on the west side of said Calvert Street, the two following courses and distances; namely, Southerly 11.1 feet, more or less and Southerly by a line curving to the right with a radius of 300.00 feet the distance of 10.6 feet, more or less, to intersect the line of the south side of Pratt Street, 86 feet wide, if projected westerly; thence binding reversely in part on the line of the south side of last said Pratt Street, so projected, in part on the south side of last said Pratt Street, and in all, Easterly 989.5 feet, more or less, to intersect the west side of Pratt Street, 101 feet wide; thence binding on the west side of last said Pratt Street, Southerly 15.0 feet, more or less, to intersect the south side of last said Pratt Street; thence binding on the south side of last said Pratt Street, Easterly 1093.5 feet, more or less, to the south side of Pratt Street, varying in width; thence binding on the south side of last said Pratt Street, the three following courses and distances; namely, Easterly 101.6 feet, more or less, Easterly 40.6 feet, more or less, and Easterly 57.4 feet, more or less, to intersect the southwest side of President Street, varying in width; thence binding on the southwest and west sides of said President Street, the eleven following courses and distances; namely, Southeasterly by a line curving to the right with a radius of 10.00 feet the distance of 15.1 feet, more or less, Southeasterly by a line curving to the left with a radius of 11,478.66 feet the distance of 36.1 feet, more or less, Southeasterly 568.7 feet, more or less, Southeasterly 76.2 feet, more or less, Southeasterly 63.0 feet, more or less, Southeasterly 55.5 feet, more or less, Southeasterly 58.5 feet, more or less, Southerly 57.5 feet, more or less, Southerly 56.0 feet, more or less, Southerly 25.2 feet, more or less, and Southerly 71.9 feet, more or less, to intersect the south side of Fleet Street, 70 feet wide; thence binding on the south side of said Fleet Street, Easterly 969.5 feet, more or less, to intersect the west side of Central Avenue, 100 feet wide; thence binding on the west side of said Central Avenue, Southerly 372.2 feet, more or less, to intersect the south side of Aliceanna Street, 70 feet wide; thence binding on the south side of said Aliceanna Street, Easterly 700.0 feet, more or less, to intersect the west side of Caroline Street, 80 feet wide; thence binding on the west and southwest sides of said Caroline Street, the two following courses and distances; namely, Southerly 721.9 feet, more or less, and Southeasterly 545.2 feet, more or less, to intersect the southeast side of Thames Street, 60 feet wide; thence binding on the southeast side of said Thames Street, the four following courses and distances; namely, Northeasterly 127.8 feet, more or less, Northeasterly 261.2 feet, more or less, Northeasterly 89.3 feet, more or less, Northeasterly 189.9 feet, more or less; thence by a straight line , Southeasterly 649.2 feet, more or less, to intersect the Pierhead and Bulkhead Line of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River, there situate; thence binding on the said Pierhead and Bulkhead Line of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River, the ten following courses and distances; namely, Southwesterly 687.0 feet, more or less, Southwesterly 487.3 feet, more or less, Northwesterly 532.9 feet, more or less, Northwesterly 402.5 feet, more or less, Northwesterly 1018.7 feet, more or less, Northerly 424.3 feet, more or less, Northwesterly 1119.4 feet, more or less, Northwesterly 851.6 feet, more or less, Southerly 731.5 feet, more or less, and Southeasterly 643.8 feet, more or less, to intersect the line of the east outline of Rash Field, if projected northerly; thence binding reversely in part on the line of the east outline of said Rash Field, so projected in part on the east outline of said Rash Field, and in all, Southerly 382.3 feet, more or less, to intersect the north side of Key Highway, 66 feet wide; thence binding on the north and northeast sides of said Key Highway, the six following courses and distances; namely, Westerly 597.8 feet, more or less, Westerly by a line curving to the right with a radius of 1,138.51 feet the distance of 145.6 feet, more or less, Westerly 131.8 feet, more or less, Westerly by a line curving to the left with a radius of 1,153.330 feet the distance of 7.4 feet, more or less, Westerly 482.8 feet, more or less, and Northwesterly by a line curving to the right with a radius of 84.00 feet the distance of 132.0 feet, more or less, to intersect the east side of Light Street, 159 feet wide; thence binding on the east side of last said Light Street, the three following courses and distances; namely, Northerly 898.4 feet, more or less, Northerly 357.5 feet, more or less, and Northerly 211.4 feet, more or less; thence by a straight line, Northwesterly 172.3 feet, more or less, to intersect the east side of Light Street, mentioned firstly herein, and thence binding on the east side of said Light Street, mentioned firstly herein, Northerly 394.2 feet, more or less, to the place of beginning. Containing 7,884,000.8 square feet, more or less, or 181.0 acres of land, more or less; and (ii) Beginning at the southwest corner of the intersection of southbound South President Street and Eastern Avenue and running east along the south side of Eastern Avenue to the southwest corner of the intersection of Eastern Avenue and South Caroline Street; then running south along the west side of South Caroline Street to the southwest corner of the intersection of South Caroline Street and Aliceanna Street; then running west along the south side of Aliceanna street to the southwest corner of the intersection of Aliceanna Street and South Central Avenue; then running north along the west side of South Central Avenue to the southwest corner of the intersection of South Central Avenue and Fleet Street; then running west along the south side of Fleet Street to the southwest corner of the western most intersection of Fleet Street and southbound South President Street, then north along the west side of the western most section of southbound South President Street to the beginning point at the southwest corner of the intersection of southbound South President Street and Eastern Avenue – comprising City Blocks 1439, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1804, and 1805 in their entireties; and (iii) Block 1818, as bounded by Lancaster Street to the North, South Bond Street to the east, Thames Street to the south, and South Caroline Street to the west, but limited exclusively to the individual lots 030, 030A, 043D, 044A, 044B, 044C, 044D, 044E, 055, and 057; and (iv) Beginning at the southwest corner of the intersection of South Bond Street and Thames Street and running east along Thames Street to include properties on the north and south side of Thames Street to South Broadway; then running north to include properties facing South Broadway on the east side of South Broadway to Eastern Avenue; and including properties facing Aliceanna Street on the north and south sides of Aliceanna Street between South Broadway and South Bethel Streets; and including properties on the north side and south side facing Fleet Avenue between South Bethel Street and South Broadway; and including properties on the north and south sides facing Eastern Avenue between South Bond Street and South Broadway; and including properties on the north and south sides of Eastern Avenue facing Eastern Avenue between South Broadway and South Register; then running south along South Broadway to Aliceanna Street including all properties facing South Broadway on the east side of South Broadway; and including properties on the west side of South Regester street facing South Regester street between Eastern Avenue and Aliceanna Street; and including properties on the north side and south side facing Fleet Street between South Regester Street and South Broadway; and including properties on the north side of Aliceanna Street between South Broadway and South Regester Street; then running East along Aliceanna Street to South Chester Street including properties on the south side of Aliceanna Street except those properties excluded as shown in the Block Plat map detail attached to Ordinance 17-039; then running south on South Chester Street to the water line of the Harbor; then running generally west following the Harbor to the southwest point of South Broadway Street adjoining to Thames Street facing properties; and including all properties enclosed by these boundaries except those properties excluded as shown in the Block Plat map details attached to Ordinance 17-039. (2) The boundaries of the District are as shown on map dated May 22, 2017, and, in greater detail, on the accompanying Block Plats, as attached to Ordinance 17-039. (b) Properties in 2 or more districts. If boundary descriptions result in a property’s being located in 2 or more community benefit districts, then the property is considered to be contained in the first community benefit district created. (Ord. 17-039; Ord. 15-433; Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-3 Authority created.

§ 8-3. Authority created. (a) Authority created. There is a Waterfront Management Authority, referred to in this subtitle as the “Authority”. (b) Purpose. The purpose of the Authority is to: (1) promote and market the District; (2) provide supplemental security and maintenance services; (3) provide amenities in public areas; (4) provide park and recreational programs and functions; and (5) provide other services and functions as may be requested by the Authority and approved by an ordinance of the Mayor and City Council. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-4 Powers and functions of Authority.

§ 8-4. Powers and functions of Authority. (a) Governmental body. To the greatest extent allowable by law, the Authority is and shall be deemed to be a special taxing district and, therefore, a governmental body, both politic and corporate, exercising only those powers as are provided for in this subtitle. (b) Authorized actions. (1) The Authority may acquire, hold, and use both real and personal property as necessary to achieve its purposes, including acquisition by purchase, lease, or other means. (2) The Authority may engage the services of an administrator (the “Administrator”), who may be an individual or an entity, to administer the programs and undertakings of the Authority. (3) The Authority may sue and be sued. However, the District, the Authority, its Board of Directors, and its Administrator shall benefit, to the fullest extent allowable by law, from all provisions of federal, state, and local law limiting the liability of employees, officers, agents, and officials of governmental bodies. (4) The Authority may accept grants. (5) The Authority may borrow funds for purposes consistent with the public purposes of the Authority. However, no borrowing may be for a term beyond the date for the District’s renewal under § 8-16 of this subtitle; (6) The Authority shall adopt an annual budget and impose, charge, and collect the taxes or charges on benefitted properties within the District, as authorized by City Charter Article II, § (63) and this subtitle. (7) The Authority may create and enter into partnerships between it and various property owners. These partnerships may provide for the provision of permitted services and benefits by the Authority in exchange for payments arranged by contract, donation, gift, services in kind, or other mechanism by which funds or benefits are provided to the Authority. (8) The Authority may establish and elect officers not already provided for in this subtitle and provide for their terms and duties. (9) The Authority may contract for and purchase goods and services, without having to comply with City requirements governing wage scales, competitive bidding, or other procurement matters. However, the Authority nonetheless shall be subject to applicable ordinances regarding City policy on encouraging and achieving goals for participation of minority and women’s business enterprises in the contracting activities. (10) Subject to the approval of the Board of Estimates, the Authority may adopt, amend, and modify bylaws, consistent with City Charter Article II, § (63) and this subtitle. (11) The Authority may implement its programs and goals directly through its employees or through 1 or more contracts. These contracts may be with independent contractors or contractual employees. (12) The Authority may assist in the leasing, marketing, and promotional activities within the District, to the extent those activities are approved by the governing Board of the Authority. (13) The Authority may appoint, hire, or engage auditors, accountants, attorneys, assistants, aides, employees, and advisors as it considers necessary for the proper performance of its duties, but consistent with this subtitle. (14) The Authority may do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out its goals, objectives, and powers. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-5 Limitations on Authority.

§ 8-5. Limitations on Authority. (a) Not agency of City or State. (1) The Authority is not and may not be deemed to be an agency of the Mayor and City of Baltimore or of the State of Maryland. (2) The officers and employees of the Authority are not and may not act as agents or employees of the Mayor and City of Baltimore or the State of Maryland. (b) Unauthorized actions. (1) The Authority may not exercise any police or general powers other than those authorized by State law and City ordinance. (2) The Authority may not pledge the full faith or credit of the City. (3) The Authority may not levy any taxes against properties that are exempt under State law from ordinary property taxes. (4) The Authority may not impose any taxes or charges in excess of those approved by the Board of Estimates. (5) The Authority may not exercise the power of eminent domain. (6) The Authority may not extend its life without the approval of the City Council. (7) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Authority may not engage in competition with the private sector. (8) Except as otherwise provided in § 8-17 of this subtitle, the Authority may not revert charges or taxes collected under this subtitle to the General Fund of the City. (9) The Authority may not employ individuals who reside outside of the City. (10) Except as required or appropriate to facilitate its normal operations, The Authority may not incur debt. (11) The Authority may not exercise any power specifically withheld by the terms of either this subtitle or, if more restrictive, City Charter Article II, § (63). (c) Interpretation of powers. The powers of the Authority shall be broadly interpreted to allow the Authority to achieve the goals of City Charter Article II, § (63), including the provision of supplementary security and maintenance services, the promotion and marketing of the District, and the provision of amenities in public areas. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-6 Board of Directors.

§ 8-6. Board of Directors. (a) In general. The Authority shall be governed by and administered through a Board of Directors (the “Board”). (b) Number and appointment. (1) The number of voting members of the full Board may not be less than 13, excluding vacancies, nor more than 25. (2) The Board has full authority to increase or decrease its membership, within the limits specified in this subsection. (c) Composition. (1) Of the voting members of the Board: (i) 1 shall be appointed by the Mayor; (ii) 1 shall be a Councilmember appointed by the President of the City Council; and (iii) at least 3 shall be representatives selected from among various businesses, organizations, and residents in the District. (2) At all times, at least ⅔ of the Board must be representatives of property owners subject to the tax imposed by this subtitle. These must be so designated by the Board and entered into the minutes of the Authority. (3) Consistent with the encouragement of partnerships between the Authority and property owners exempt from the tax imposed by this subtitle, the Board is encouraged to consider representation of those partners on the Board. (d) Terms to be staggered. The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms of the members first appointed. (e) Exercise of Authority powers. All powers of the Authority are exercised by and through the Board, unless delegated by the Board to 1 or more officers of the Board or to the Administrator. (f) Bylaws, rules, and regulations. (1) The Board may adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations as it considers necessary to carry out the powers of the Authority. However, these bylaws, rules, and regulations may not be inconsistent with the terms of this subtitle or of City Charter Article II, § (63). (2) All bylaws are subject to the approval of the Board of Estimates. (3) The Board may establish its own procedures relating to the internal administration of the Authority, except as may be restricted by City Charter Article II, § (63) or this subtitle. (g) Officers. (1) The Board shall select from among its members individuals to serve as the chair, vice-chair, treasurer, and secretary of the Authority. (2) These officers serve at the pleasure of the Board. (3) The Board may delegate to these officers those responsibilities that the Board considers appropriate. (Ord. 15-433; Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-7 Annual Financial Plan.

§ 8-7. Annual Financial Plan. (a) Board to adopt. The Board shall adopt an annual financial plan (the “Financial Plan”), based on the City’s fiscal year, consisting of at least a budget and a proposed schedule of taxes or charges to be imposed throughout the District. (b) Public hearing. Before adopting the Financial Plan, the Board shall arrange for a public hearing on the proposed Plan. Notice of the hearing must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Baltimore City at least once a week for 3 consecutive weeks. (c) Board of Estimates approval required. The Authority may not approve a Financial Plan that includes taxes or charges in excess of those approved by the Board of Estimates. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-8 Supplemental Tax.

§ 8-8. Supplemental Tax. (a) Board of Estimates to determine assessable base. (1) The Board of Estimates shall obtain from the Director of Finance the “assessable base” of the District, which shall constitute a listing by property and a calculation of the sum of assessments on properties subject to the Supplemental Tax. (2) Properties subject to the tax shall include all properties within the District except: (i) residential units in a condominium building, whether or not the units are owner-occupied; (ii) all other buildings used exclusively for residential purposes, other than a building that contains 4 or more residential rental units; (iii) properties containing 4 or fewer residential units, with a non-residential use on the ground or first level only, if the property owner can document, in the manner approved by the Board of Estimates, that the owner: (A) operates the non-residential use; and (B) occupies a residential portion of the property as their primary residence; and (iv) properties otherwise exempt under: (A) this subtitle; (B) City Charter Article II, § (63); or (C) any other applicable law. (3) The Board of Estimates shall determine with finality the assessable base on which the Supplemental Tax will be based. (b) Assessment; collection; enforcement. (1) Funding for Authority operations shall be provided by a supplemental property tax (the “Supplemental Tax”) on the assessable base of the District as determined under subsection (a) of this section. (2) The Supplemental Tax shall be assessed and collected in conjunction with the property taxes assessed and collected by the City (the “Regular Tax”), unless otherwise established by the Board of Estimates. (3) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle: (i) the Supplemental Tax shall be enforced in the same way as the Regular Tax is enforced; (ii) all provisions that apply to assessments, refunds, collections, and enforcement of the Regular Tax apply to the Supplemental Tax; and (iii) credits that apply to the Regular Tax do not apply to the Supplemental Tax unless otherwise specifically provided by Ordinance. (c) Determination of tax. The Supplemental Tax rate shall be determined as follows: (1) Any increase in the rate of the Supplemental Tax must be approved by a majority of the Board’s voting members. (2) For the first full budget year, the rate of the Supplemental Tax shall be set to raise revenues equal to the costs of the Financial Plan. (3) For any year after the first full budget year, the rate of the Supplemental Tax may be adjusted to yield revenues equal to the costs of the Financial Plan. That rate, however, may not be increased by more than 10% a year unless the increase is approved by 80% or more of the property-owner representatives on the Board. (d) Exemption for public service companies. Exempt from the Supplemental Tax are the poles, conduits, tunnels, pipe lines, manholes, and other similar surface or subsurface structures, including their equipment, owned and controlled by a public service corporation, located on, over, or under streets, alleys, or other public ways or lands, the construction of which is authorized by the City, and the installation of which is regulated and supervised by the Department of Transportation. (Ord. 18-143; Ord. 17-039; Ord. 15-435; Ord. 09-132; Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-9 Other charges.

§ 8-9. Other charges. (a) Property subject to Supplemental Tax. (1) Properties that are subject to the Supplemental Tax are not required to pay any other charges or fees for services generally provided within the District by the Authority. (2) However, the Authority may impose charges and fees for any special services requested by and performed for 1 or more property owners. (b) Others. With the approval of the Board of Estimates, the Board may establish other fees and charges for specific services performed: (1) within the District; (2) within areas adjoining the District; (3) for properties and owners not subject to the Supplemental Tax; and (4) in conjunction with partnerships encouraged by this subtitle. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-10 Baseline City services.

§ 8-10. Baseline City services. (a) Agreement to maintain. Before imposing and collecting the Supplemental Tax, the Authority shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Mayor regarding the level of services to be maintained by the City as the City’s partnership obligation to the Authority and the District’s taxpayers. (b) Scope of agreement. This memorandum of understanding shall: (1) describe the existing levels of service within the District; (2) commit the City to the maintenance of those levels of service; and (3) outline the further undertakings of the City in response to the initiative represented by the creation of the District (the “Baseline Plus”). (c) Governing principles. The maintenance of existing services shall be governed by 2 principles: (1) Those services may not be decreased except: (i) as part of an overall decrease in services necessitated by changes in funding, policy, or resources; and (ii) only in proportion to the decreases implemented elsewhere in the City. (2) Any increase in services generally throughout the City shall be matched with increases in those services within the District, in proportion to the increases implemented elsewhere in the City. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-11 Partnerships.

§ 8-11. Partnerships. (a) Authority encouraged to create. The Authority is authorized and encouraged to enter into partnerships with the property owners and users within the District and adjoining areas that are not subject to the Supplemental Tax (“Exempt Partners”) (including the Friends of Federal Hill Inc.) for the purpose of furthering the broad objectives of improving and enhancing public services throughout the District and in adjoining areas. (b) Specific powers. In furtherance of that objective, the Authority may: (1) contract to provide varying levels of services to areas adjoining the District; (2) agree to accept donations, contributions, and voluntary payments of any kind from Exempt Partners (collectively, “Voluntary Payments”), with or without agreements regarding specific services and functions; (3) enter into agreements with Exempt Partners to include property owned by those Exempt Partners within the District in return for Voluntary Payments or commitments regarding the provision of similar services and functions within properties owned by Exempt Partners; and (4) establish rates and charges for the provision of services to Exempt Partners. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-12 Collection and disbursement.

§ 8-12. Collection and disbursement. (a) In general. The Authority shall establish with the appropriate City agencies the methods by which the Supplemental Tax is to be assessed, collected, and disbursed to the Authority. (b) Funds not part of City revenue. Amounts collected by the City on behalf of the Authority: (1) may not be included in the revenues of the City; (2) are not and may not be deemed to be subject to the budgetary and appropriation process; and (3) shall be disbursed promptly on collection. (c) City to bear expense of collection, etc. As part of the City’s contribution to the District, the collection, assessment, disbursement, record-keeping, and enforcement involved in the process may not be a charge to or against the Authority or the District, but shall be an element of the Baseline Plus. (d) Department of Finance authorized to collect. (1) The Department of Finance may collect the Supplemental Tax and other charges as are approved by the Board of Estimates. (2) The assessment for the Supplemental Tax may be included with the annual real property tax bill submitted to the owners of properties within the District. (3) The Department of Finance shall make regular remittances of the amounts collected to the Board of the Authority. (e) Penalties and interest. The penalties and interest applicable to delinquent taxes shall be applied to delinquencies in payment of the Supplemental Tax. (f) Lien on property. (1) The amount of any outstanding assessment on any property and of accrued interest and other charges constitutes a lien on the property. (2) This lien: (i) takes precedence over all other liens, whether created before or after the assessment, commensurate with a lien for state and county taxes, general municipal taxes, and prior improvement assessments; and (ii) may not be defeated or postponed by any private or judicial sale, by any mortgage, or by any error or mistake in the description of the property or in the names of the owners. (3) No error in the proceedings of the City or the Board exempts any property from the lien, from its payment, or from the penalties or interest on it. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-13 Administrator.

§ 8-13. Administrator. (a) In general. The Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Board and its employees and contractors. (b) Powers. The Administrator may: (1) prepare the Financial Plan for review and approval by the Board; (2) implement the approved Financial Plan and arrange for the collection and disbursement of the Supplemental Tax and all other charges, fees, and revenues of the Authority; (3) establish procedures and processes necessary to perform the functions called for under the Financial Plan and the budget; (4) hire and retain employees, agents, and contractors as needed to perform the Administrator’s functions for the Authority, subject to § 8-4(b)(9) of this subtitle; (5) exercise the powers granted to the Authority by this subtitle, except that the Board retains final discretion and power with regard to all substantive agreements, contracts, and other arrangements binding on the Authority; and (6) exercise the additional rights, powers, and authority granted to the Administrator by the Board. (c) Immunity. The Administrator is the direct agent of the Authority, so that any immunity afforded to the Authority and its officers, employees, and agents, is afforded as well to the Administrator. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-14 Oversight by Board of Estimates.

§ 8-14. Oversight by Board of Estimates. (a) In general. The Board of Estimates has the following powers with regard to the District and the Authority. (b) Financial Plan; rates and charges. (1) The Financial Plan and the schedule of rates and charges are subject to the approval of the Board of Estimates. (2) The Board of the Authority shall submit all materials at least 2 months before the proposed effective date of a budget or Supplemental Tax. (3) In considering a proposed budget and schedule of taxes and charges, the Board of Estimates may not exceed or increase either the budget or the schedule of taxes, rates, and charges beyond those proposed by the Authority. (c) Bylaws. The Board of Estimates must approve the bylaws of the Authority and any proposed amendments to it. (d) Approval and renewal process. The Board of Estimates is the final arbiter and decision maker regarding the approval and renewal process for the District. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-15 Election approval process.

§ 8-15. Election approval process. (a) List of eligible voters. The Board of Estimates, with the assistance of the Board and the Department of Finance, shall compile a list of those persons eligible to vote on the establishment of the District and on any question relating to its renewal. (b) Eligibility criteria. (1) Persons eligible to vote are the owners of property subject to tax under § 8-8 of this subtitle. (2) No more than 1 vote may be cast for each tax parcel. (c) Election. (1) A ballot shall be provided to each eligible voter for the approval of the establishment of the District. (2) Each ballot, with a certified signature of the eligible voter or duly authorized representative, must be returned to the Board of Estimates, c/o the Comptroller’s Office, within 30 days of the date specified on the ballot. (d) Percentage approval. (1) Within 20 days of the end of the election period, the Board of Estimates shall determine the aggregate votes cast by the eligible voters. (2) If the Board of Estimates determines that at least 58% of the aggregate votes cast approved the establishment of the District, the Board of Estimates shall certify the District and Authority as approved for operation. (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-16 4-year reviews.

§ 8-16. 4-year reviews. (a) Public hearings. No later than 4 years after the establishment of the District, and every 4 years following, the Mayor and City Council shall hold 1 or more public hearings to evaluate the activities and undertakings of the Authority and the District. (b) Mayor and Council to decide. At the conclusion of the hearings, the Mayor and City Council shall determine whether the District is to continue for another 4 years. (c) Process to be repeated. This process shall be repeated periodically to satisfy the requirements of City Charter Article II, § (63) . (Ord. 07-417.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 14, § 8-17 Dissolution of District.

§ 8-17. Dissolution of District. (a) Dissolution on certain events. If the District is not approved as provided in § 8-15 of this subtitle, or is not renewed as provided in § 8-16 of this subtitle, the Authority shall cease its operations, and the District shall cease to exist, at the end of the City’s fiscal year in which the terminating event occurs. (b) Limited continuation. The Authority shall continue its existence only as long as necessary to: (1) terminate operations in a reasonable fashion; and (2) arrange for the refunding of all funds not needed to satisfy outstanding obligations and reserves for uncertain obligations and liabilities. (c) Unspent funds. Any unspent funds revert to the City’s general fund. (Ord. 07-417.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/14/8Fetched: 10/25/2026