In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated. “Finance Director” means the Director of the City Department of Finance or that Director’s designee. “Food desert” means an area in which:the distance to a supermarket is more than ¼ mile; the median household income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, as measured by the most recent 5-year estimate of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey; over 30% of households have no vehicle available, as measured by the most recent 5-year estimate of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey; and the Healthy Food Availability Index average score of all food stores is low, as measured by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future. “Food Desert Incentive Area” means any area:that is a food desert; that is within ¼ mile of a food desert; or that would be a food desert but for the presence of a qualified supermarket. “Personal property” means any personal property that is subject to the City’s tax on personal property. “Qualified supermarket’ means a supermarket that has been newly constructed or newly substantially renovated to meet the qualifications imposed by this subtitle. “Supermarket” means a grocery store that has:all major food departments, including produce, meat, seafood, dairy, and canned and packaged goods; more than 50% of total sales derived from food sales; and more than 50% of total floor space dedicated to food sales. In accordance with <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gtp|9-304">State Tax-Property Article § 9-304(h), </cite>a tax credit is granted against the City personal property tax imposed on qualified supermarkets. To qualify for the credit granted by this section, a qualified supermarket must:be located in a Food Desert Incentive Area; have at least 500 square feet of total floor space dedicated to the sale of fruits and vegetables; have at least 500 square feet of total floor space dedicated to the sale of other perishable goods, including meat, seafood, and dairy products; and have expended on new personal property:for a newly constructed supermarket, an amount equal to the greater of:$150,000; or $25 per square foot of total floor space; or for a newly substantially renovated supermarket, an amount based on the supermarket’s total floor space, as follows: <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Total Floor Space</th> <th>Expenditure Required</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>20,000 sq. ft. or less</td> <td>$5 per square foot</td> </tr> <tr> <td>More than 20,000 sq. ft. up to 45,000 sq. ft.</td> <td>$8 per square foot</td> </tr> <tr> <td>More than 45,000 sq. ft.</td> <td>$10 per square foot</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> The amount of the credit granted under this section is equal to:the amount of personal property tax that would otherwise be due in the current tax year on the supermarket’s personal property, less the amount of any other credit applicable in the current tax year to the personal property, multiplied by 80%. The owner of the personal property for which a credit under this section is being sought must file an application with the Finance Director at least 90 days before the 1^st tax year for which the credit is sought. The term of the credit is 10 tax years. The owner of the personal property for which a credit has been granted under this section shall ensure that, throughout the credit period, the supermarket:continues to operate as a supermarket; and is maintained in full compliance with:the City Health Article; and the <cite data-path="|building-codes">City Building, Fire, and Related Codes Article</cite>. The Finance Director, after consultation with the Baltimore Development Corporation:shall, subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, adopt rules and regulations to carry out this section, including procedures, forms, and documentation required to apply for the credit authorized by this section and to periodically evidence continuing eligibility for the credit; in those rules and regulations, may define or further define any terms used in connection with the qualifications for or computation of the credit authorized by this section; may settle disputed claims arising in connection with the credit authorized by this section; and may delegate to any other City agency or to the Baltimore Development Corporation any of her or his ministerial powers, duties, or functions in connection with the administration of the credit authorized by this section. Ord. 15-434 Ord. 16-503 Ord. 18-151 Text Conformed 02/19/21 Ord. 22-125 By authority of Ordinance 20-431, Section 5, the Director of Legislative Reference, in consultation with the Law Department, has conformed this section to refer expressly to and reflect the requirements of the recently-enacted Administrative Procedure Act that, effective January 15, 2021, governs the proposal, adoption, and publication of administrative rules and regulations.