Epstein said most of the orders for the devices came in to his company from landlords weeks ago, but they "haven't been able to complete several of the jobs because of the shortage."
Nikki Marlatt-Young of Arbutus, a licensed home inspector who works in the county, said the extension would help more landlords comply. That they haven't yet doesn't mean they don't want to, she said.
"It's been hard for them in some of the older homes," she said, "but they've been doing it."
According to officials, about 10,000 inspections are complete, and about 2,000 to 5,000 more need to be done.
In other business, council members voted last night to allow the county to attach liens on residents' properties when improvements on storm-water management ponds owned by homeowner associations are needed and the county pays for them.
They also voted to increase parking violation fines in the county for the first time since 1991, to be more consistent with neighboring counties. The current $16 fine for a meter violation would go to $20.
The council voted to spend $500,000 over the next three years to help extend the police Mobile Crisis Team coverage to the west side of the county. The rest of the cost of extending the team would be covered under a private grant.
Council members also tabled a bill to provide tax incentives for developments that meet environmental and energy standards of the U.S. Green Building Council after Council Chairman Kevin Kamenetz, a Pikesville-Ruxton Democrat, said he worried that the tax break could encourage overbuilding in residential neighborhoods..
kevin.rector@baltsun.com
