However, the bills could only be issued retroactively for 3 years. So MCPS cell towers escaped paying property taxes for 7 years.
Now that property tax bills are being issued, let's take a look at which telecommunications companies aren't paying. Note that when these bills are not paid the State of Maryland can not force a tax sale like they would on a home. Instead, the State must take each of these bills to Court for collection.
The chart below shows which telecommunications companies owe property taxes on their cell towers on MCPS playgrounds. Some of these companies owe 5 years of property taxes.
The chart below shows which telecommunications companies owe property taxes on their cell towers on MCPS playgrounds. Some of these companies owe 5 years of property taxes.
| 17,202.24 | Sprint/Nextel | Randolph Road | Kennedy High School |
| 16,345.63 | Tower Co | Emory Grove Road | Woodwards Road School site |
| 16,342.07 | Tower Co | Old Georgetown Road | Tilden Middle School |
| 15,588.20 | Sprint/Nextel | Emory Grove Road | Woodwards Road School site |
| 13,693.68 | Comcast | Emory Grove Road | Woodwards Road School site |
| 7,083.86 | Clear Wireless | 12501 Dalewood Drive | Wheaton High School |
| 178.72 | Clear Wireless | Valley Brook Drive | Springbrook High School |
| 76.92 | Cricket | Olney Sandy Spring Road | Sherwood High School |
TOTAL in over due property tax bills for MCPS cell towers: $86,511.32
MCPS should give written notice of the carriers that the law says they must pay the taxes that they owe. The standard MCPS cell tower contract requires the carrier “to comply with all applicable governmental laws and regulations.” Failure to comply so is a breach of the cell tower contracts. If MCPS gives written notice to the carriers and they do not comply within 30 days they are in default.
ReplyDeleteApparently these deadbeats don’t care about paying their fair share or our children’s health and safety. Taking these deadbeats to court costs taxpayers even more money. I have no doubt that the cell operators just chalk all this up to the cost of doing business. After you don’t pay your property tax for long enough, your house is sold in a tax auction and your home is impounded. That’s what needs to be done with these deadbeat cell sites. Chain them up under lock and key (including a formal legal notice issued by the state). Cell sites require periodic maintenance. A lockout will bring these deadbeats back to the table with their checkbooks, because downed cell sites cost wireless providers many thousands of dollars each day. Perhaps Mr. Augustino could represent these deadbeats. Business is looking up!
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