The Town of Rising Sun held a meeting on September 12, 2023, where several key ordinances were discussed to enhance the business environment and streamline code enforcement processes.

The first significant topic addressed was the existing tax code related to business inventory. Currently, the town does not charge businesses for their inventory, despite Chapter 9 of the code stating that such a tax should be applied. Officials emphasized the importance of making Rising Sun an attractive location for businesses, noting that imposing a tax on inventory could place local businesses at a disadvantage compared to others in Cecil County. To rectify this, the proposed ordinance aims to remove the language that includes commercial inventory from the tax code, thereby eliminating the potential tax burden on businesses.

The meeting also covered updates to the town's building codes. Rising Sun enforces approximately 15 different building codes at the state level, alongside the National Fire Protection Codes. The discussion highlighted the need for a unified approach to appeals regarding code enforcement decisions. Currently, there could be a requirement for multiple independent appeals boards to handle various codes, which could complicate the process. The proposed ordinance seeks to establish a single code enforcement appeals board that would handle all appeals related to building and fire codes, simplifying the process for residents and contractors alike.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the organization of appointments to these boards. The new ordinance aims to align the appointment process for the code enforcement appeals board with that of the planning commission and board of zoning appeals, ensuring a more structured and transparent selection process.

In conclusion, the Rising Sun meeting focused on critical legislative changes aimed at fostering a business-friendly environment and improving the efficiency of code enforcement. The proposed ordinances will be further reviewed, with the intention of promoting growth and clarity within the community.