Is the PILOT program (same acronym) common in all MD jurisdictions? How can the average citizen research their own county of residence for similar transactions?
Hi Kim, thanks for reading. Some places like Baltimore City post their pilots online mostly because they've gotten so much trouble over them in the past. Other places bury them unless you ask. They're never going to tell you. Harford County is in the not going to tell you unless you ask category. So you call the office of the County finance director and you tell them that you want information on what are the current pilots in force. Use the term pilot but also slip in payment in lieu of taxes so that there's no potential area of misunderstanding. They should give it to you. If they stall you or give you a hard time, you could tell them that you're going to file an mpia request which is illegally binding request that says they have to give you what they legally have to give you. And since this is a public contract affecting revenue they have to give it but sometimes they need to be pushed a little. You're also welcome to tell them that if they don't give it to you and they give you a hard time, you're reporting the whole thing to me and I promised to write an article on it that will scorch them. Then afterwards. Let me know what works and if they're being less than forthcoming. I'm very happy to write an article that discusses that because it could mean that they've created pilots that they don't want the general public to see. There is a risk with these that a developer comes and says I'm going to build this project. I'd like a pilot and oftentimes the county will mention one price and it's negotiable. There are rumors that in some counties developers get more generous pilots when they slide an envelope full of cash across the desk, but I would not accuse anybody in Harford County of taking bribes. But if they're not coming up with a data that you request that would be a problem or at least a signal that there might be a problem.
Greatly appreciate the information, Barry. Will do. Researching specific topics within the County can be easy, or not. You never know until you dive in.
Is the PILOT program (same acronym) common in all MD jurisdictions? How can the average citizen research their own county of residence for similar transactions?
Hi Kim, thanks for reading. Some places like Baltimore City post their pilots online mostly because they've gotten so much trouble over them in the past. Other places bury them unless you ask. They're never going to tell you. Harford County is in the not going to tell you unless you ask category. So you call the office of the County finance director and you tell them that you want information on what are the current pilots in force. Use the term pilot but also slip in payment in lieu of taxes so that there's no potential area of misunderstanding. They should give it to you. If they stall you or give you a hard time, you could tell them that you're going to file an mpia request which is illegally binding request that says they have to give you what they legally have to give you. And since this is a public contract affecting revenue they have to give it but sometimes they need to be pushed a little. You're also welcome to tell them that if they don't give it to you and they give you a hard time, you're reporting the whole thing to me and I promised to write an article on it that will scorch them. Then afterwards. Let me know what works and if they're being less than forthcoming. I'm very happy to write an article that discusses that because it could mean that they've created pilots that they don't want the general public to see. There is a risk with these that a developer comes and says I'm going to build this project. I'd like a pilot and oftentimes the county will mention one price and it's negotiable. There are rumors that in some counties developers get more generous pilots when they slide an envelope full of cash across the desk, but I would not accuse anybody in Harford County of taking bribes. But if they're not coming up with a data that you request that would be a problem or at least a signal that there might be a problem.
Greatly appreciate the information, Barry. Will do. Researching specific topics within the County can be easy, or not. You never know until you dive in.