Delegation supports bill allowing permits to be held for unpaid personal property taxes

The Carroll County comptroller told the delegation the county lacks a routine enforcement tool for unpaid personal property taxes and asked the legislature for authority to hold permits (including trader's licenses and liquor licenses) until outstanding personal property tax bills are paid.

The comptroller said the county currently could confiscate property to enforce unpaid taxes but that approach would be resource-intensive. Instead, the proposed authority would allow the county to withhold certain permits at the point of application for businesses that have delinquent personal property tax accounts. The comptroller estimated about 150 unpaid personal property accounts county-wide and said roughly 40 of those could be affected by the permit-hold authority.

Delegation members moved the measure favorable by voice vote; one member noted they had voted for a similar measure the prior year. The chair thanked the comptroller and moved on to the commissioners' meeting.

Next steps: county staff will work with legislative staff to draft the enabling language and to estimate implementation mechanics.