School bond and tax elections in Maryland

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Bond elections
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School bond and tax elections in Maryland happen under one circumstance:

  • To issue new bonding only in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Laws affecting school finance

Bond issue law in Maryland

Maryland is different from any other state in the nation in which the mandate is split on the approval of bond issues. In Maryland only the voters of Baltimore City and Baltimore County have authority of approving bond measures for public schools.[1]

Bonds that are approved by Baltimore County voters must be payable on installment and must have a maturity of 40 years from the date of issuance.[2] All bonds approved in Baltimore County can be used for capital improvements.[3] All bonds cannot exceed 10 percent of total indebtedness in the county.[4]

For bond issues in all other parts of Maryland, the Board of County Commissioners in the respective county where the school district is located must approve all bond issues. All bonds can be used for new construction or general improvement of school facilities and must mature within 30 years.[5]. All bonds must be sold at, above, or below par value[6]

Maryland levy law

Under Maryland law, elections are not required for levy limits due to Maryland being one a of a few states in which a County Board of Commissioners approves all extensions, changes, or increases in tax levies.[7].

Conduct of the election, rules, etc.

Authority conducting elections

The county election commissions are responsible for holding elections.[8]

Election dates

All referendums in Baltimore County must happen during a general election which is the first Tuesday in November.[9]

Needed majority

A simple majority is needed in ordered to pass a bond election in Baltimore County.[10]

Special elections

Special elections are prohibited in Baltimore County.[11]

Wording of measures

All submitted ballot questions school bonds in Baltimore County must end in "For the bond issue" and "Against the Bond Issue."[12] The ballot questions must disclose the dollar amount and the purpose of the bond issue.[13]

Required notice of bond election

All referendums in Baltimore County must be called for by the County Executive. There is no mandatory elapse or notice requirement under the Baltimore County Charter.[14]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. "American Legal" Baltimore County Code(Referenced Statute § 10-3-103 Baltimore County Code)
  2. "American Legal" Baltimore County Charter(Referenced Statute § 719 Baltimore County Charter)
  3. "American Legal" Baltimore County Charter(Referenced Statute § 719 Baltimore County Charter)
  4. "American Legal" Baltimore County Charter(Referenced Statute § 717 Baltimore County Charter)
  5. "Lexis Nexis" Maryland Education Law(Referenced Statute § 5-602 (a)(b)(c))
  6. "Lexis Nexis" Maryland Education Law(Referenced Statute § 5-602 (d)(3))
  7. "Lexis Nexis" Maryland Education Law(Referenced Statute § 5-104 Maryland Education Code)
  8. "Michie's" Maryland Election Law(Referenced Statute 2-201 Code of Maryland)
  9. "Baltimore County" Baltimore Bond Law(Referenced Statute § 10-3-103(c))
  10. "Baltimore County" Baltimore Bond Law(Referenced Statute § 10-3-103(f)(3))
  11. "Baltimore County" Baltimore Bond Law(Referenced Statute § 10-3-103(d))
  12. "Baltimore County" Baltimore Bond Law(Referenced Statute § 10-3-103(e)(3))
  13. "Baltimore County" Baltimore Bond Law(Referenced Statute § 10-3-103(e)(1)(2))
  14. "Baltimore County" Baltimore County Charter(Referenced Statute Section 705)