§ 12-401. In general

   (a) Scope of section. -- This section applies to all counties, except Baltimore City.

(b) Authority. -- Except as provided in § 12-404, 12-405, 12-406, 12-408, 12-409, 12-410, and 12-411 of this subtitle, the governing body of a county may:

   (1) acquire, by lease, purchase, gift, devise, bequest, condemnation, or any other method, an interest in any property that is needed for a public purpose;

   (2) construct buildings on the property for the benefit of the county;

   (3) sell surplus property at public sale, after advertising the sale for at least 20 days; or

   (4) (i) provide wholly or partly for the financing of housing or a housing project; and

      (ii) place a deed of trust, mortgage, or other instrument on the financed property to ensure repayment of money used to purchase, construct, rehabilitate, or develop the housing or housing project.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 25, § 8(a), 9(a), (b), 9B(a)(1), 11A(a), (b)(1); 2013, ch. 119, § 2.