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Continuing the largest effort in county history to reduce taxes and fees, County Executive Steve Schuh has submitted a bill to the County Council for a twenty five percent reduction in Capital Facility Connection Charges (CFCCs), which are charged to new homes and businesses when they connect to public water and sewer.
“Lowering taxes and fees to help create jobs and expand our economy is my top priority,” said Schuh. “This proposed fee cut, which comes on the heels of the largest tax cut in county history, is another step we are taking to make our county the best place to live, work, and start a business in Maryland.”
Capital Facility Connection Charges recover the cost of constructing public water and sewer infrastructure such as pipes, water treatment plants, and pumping stations. The reform legislation would also eliminate deferral and restocking fees, reduce interest rates, and allow testing for adequate public facilities at different stages of the development process.
These fees have increased to the point where they are often cited as a major impediment to new business formation and job creation. The fee is passed on to business owners and new home buyers, increasing the cost of doing business and pushing housing prices out of the reach of many purchasers. At current levels, these fees add nearly $20,000 to the cost of an average new home and substantially more to the cost of a medium-sized new business.
“We want to ensure our county is a place where people can afford to live,” added Schuh. “These burdensome fees are making the American dream of homeownership and business ownership harder to attain for our citizens, and this plan will bring some much needed relief.”
The legislation was introduced on November 16th.
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