§ (39). Property taxes.

(a) In general.

To assess for tax purposes, levy annually and collect taxes upon every description of property found within the corporate limits of the City which the City is authorized by law to levy tax upon for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the municipal government, whether the owners thereof reside within or without the limits of the City.

(b) Administration.

To create such department, bureau or other agency as it may deem appropriate to make all such assessments, and to confer upon the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, or other similar body, appellate jurisdiction from and over such assessing agency to the same extent that the State Tax Commission now has over the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, reserving, however, to the State Tax Commission appellate jurisdiction over the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, or other similar body, as now or hereafter provided by law; to have power to provide by ordinance or otherwise for the prompt collection of taxes due the City, and to have power to sell real estate, as well as personal property, for the payment of taxes; provided, that no authority is given by this subsection (39) to impose taxes on any property which is now or may hereafter be exempted from taxation by any general or special act of the General Assembly of Maryland, nor upon any property which may be stored or deposited in the City for temporary purposes.

(c) Exemptions.

To provide by general ordinance, whenever it shall seem expedient for the encouragement of the growth and development of manufacturing industry in the said City, for the exemption, from any or all taxes levied by authority of the said Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, of any or all tools (including mechanical tools), implements, whether worked by hand, steam or other motive power, machinery, manufacturing apparatus or engines used in manufacturing, whether temporarily idle or not, raw materials on hand and manufactured products in the hands of the manufacturer, and any or all other personal property actually employed or used in the business of manufacturing in the said City.

Any such exemption from taxes shall apply to all persons, firms and corporations engaged in the branches of manufacturing industry proposed to be benefited by any ordinance passed under the provisions of this paragraph.

Laundry machinery, when employed or used in the business of laundering, shall be classed as used in the business of manufacturing within the purposes of this paragraph.