(a) (1) The County Commissioners of Calvert County may establish road construction districts by ordinance. (2) Two-thirds of the property owners along a road route may request the creation of a road construction district and a road project by presenting a written petition to the county commissioners. (b) (1) Before establishing a road construction district, the County Commissioners of Calvert County shall: (i) hold a public hearing on the proposed district; (ii) send notice of the time and place of the hearing to each property owner in the proposed district by mail to the address shown on the assessment records; and (iii) publish notice of the time and place of the hearing in two newspapers of general circulation in the county for 2 successive weeks. (2) At the hearing, the county commissioners shall: (i) determine the scope of the road project; and (ii) advise the property owners of the approximate cost and estimated individual benefit charges. (3) The county commissioners shall: (i) determine the feasibility of taking the road into the county roads system and undertaking the road project; (ii) determine whether on completion of the project the road can be taken into the county roads system in accordance with subsection (g) of this section; and (iii) determine whether to proceed with plans and specifications for the project. (4) (i) If the county commissioners decide to proceed with the project, the county commissioners shall set a date for a final hearing. (ii) The date for the final hearing may be changed only if notice is given in accordance with this subsection. (5) At the final hearing, if the county commissioners establish the district, the county commissioners shall: (i) set the boundaries of the district; and (ii) provide for the project scope, cost estimate, and estimated individual benefit charges. (c) (1) The estimated benefit charges on each lot or parcel of land in the road construction district shall be based on the benefits accruing to the lot or parcel of land. (2) The County Commissioners of Calvert County shall determine: (i) when the property owners shall pay back the costs to the county; (ii) whether interest will be charged; and (iii) the rate of interest charged, if any. (d) If the County Commissioners of Calvert County determine to proceed with the road project, they shall advertise for bids and award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. (e) (1) On completion of a road project, the County Commissioners of Calvert County shall impose a benefit charge on all real property in the district. (2) The benefit charge shall be sufficient to meet the costs of the project, including: (i) interest paid if a debt is created by the county commissioners; and (ii) administrative costs, including notices to property owners and advertisements. (3) The benefit charge is a lien on the real property against which it is assessed and shall be paid annually in the same manner as county real property taxes and for the period of time established by the county commissioners. (f) (1) The County Commissioners of Calvert County may purchase land for use in connection with the road construction district. (2) The minimum right-of-way that may be purchased in accordance with this section is 30 feet. (g) When completed to county specifications, the County Commissioners of Calvert County shall place the road in the county roads system.
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