Counties Support Additional Tools for Infrastructure Repair

On February 7, 2023, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 0055 – Local Government – Condominium and Homeowners Associations – Repair and Rehabilitation Funds with amendments.

This bill authorizes counties to establish a fund that would provide support for the repair of dilapidated infrastructure subject to a condominium or homeowners’ association. At present, condominium and homeowners’ associations are charged with similar infrastructure maintenance responsibilities to county government, though these entities do not always carry out their duties faithfully. In enabling counties to create special trust funds to address infrastructure issues in areas of particular concern, HB 0055 relieves the immediate financial burden that usually falls on taxpayers when condominium and homeowners’ associations act irresponsibly.

From the MACo Testimony:

HB 55 would provide taxpayers with an insurance policy against irresponsible condominiums and homeowners’ associations. This bill would enable county governments to establish special trust funds for handling infrastructure maintenance concerns in affected areas. Counties would effectively be able to set aside property tax revenue from these communities in a “rainy day” fund that can be used if
these organizations can no longer meet their obligations. Additionally, counties would also encourage the State to contribute to these “rainy day” funds; this effort would minimize any unanticipated strain on resources aimed at serving our mutual constituents. Amendments to HB 55 could define a state component of these efforts, through the state share of property taxes or other relevant funding resources.