Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

100%. Maryland is step up to have strong counties and weak cities. There is no significant advantage to incorporating because it does not confer any power over anything of substantive importance, aside from allowing the municipality to form its own police force. So no jurisdiction over parks (unless you create your own), land use/zoning (unless the assembly grants it to you), or schools. It would, however, create another layer of government and more taxes.

In the long run, if more communities in Montgomery County incorporated, there would be political pressure to reduce county taxes (and services). But the immediate hit would be politically untenable.

It would also be someone politically untenable, because an effort to incorporate Bethesda would certainly by accused of being racist by the usual clowns.

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06/02/2022 16:45

Subject: Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:Chevy Chase View is a city.

Bethesda and Silver Spring are not.

Maryland makes no sense.

Chevy Chase View is a Town, not a city.

I would expect that eventually the county population will grow too large that it will be impossible to effectively govern Germantown (pop. > 100k), Silver Spring and Bethesda unless they incorporate. But we’re a long ways from that still.

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06/02/2022 16:48

Subject: Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:Chevy Chase View is a city.

Bethesda and Silver Spring are not.

Maryland makes no sense.

Chevy Chase VI\iew is a town, I believe.

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06/02/2022 16:53

Subject: Re:Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because then we'd have to pay more taxes.

100%. Maryland is step up to have strong counties and weak cities. There is no significant advantage to incorporating because it does not confer any power over anything of substantive importance, aside from allowing the municipality to form its own police force. So no jurisdiction over parks (unless you create your own), land use/zoning (unless the assembly grants it to you), or schools. It would, however, create another layer of government and more taxes.

In the long run, if more communities in Montgomery County incorporated, there would be political pressure to reduce county taxes (and services). But the immediate hit would be politically untenable.

It would also be someone politically untenable, because an effort to incorporate Bethesda would certainly by accused of being racist by the usual clowns.

I'm part of a small town gov't body in MoCo. We have total control over parks and trails within town limits. We have total control over land use and zoning, and have used it so that our small town isn't over ran with developers and high density housing. We have town trash/recycling, snow removal, and lighting, all of which I find to be more efficient than when I lived in an unincorporated area of MoCo. Our gov't officials are not paid, it's completely a volunteer, elected body, and it creates less corruption and more of a community feel. You will need man power and a really involved, active community, but it can absolutely be worthwhile.

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06/02/2022 16:54

Subject: Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

quote

Anonymous

https://www.maryland-demographics.com/cities_by_population

This says that Chevy Chase View, as well as numerous municipalities of smaller population, are cities. But perhaps it's incorrect.

I appreciate the poster at 16:42. Anyone know the most recent municipality in Maryland to incorporate? Seems the upsides are few and the downsides greater.

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06/02/2022 16:58

Subject: Re:Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because then we'd have to pay more taxes.

100%. Maryland is step up to have strong counties and weak cities. There is no significant advantage to incorporating because it does not confer any power over anything of substantive importance, aside from allowing the municipality to form its own police force. So no jurisdiction over parks (unless you create your own), land use/zoning (unless the assembly grants it to you), or schools. It would, however, create another layer of government and more taxes.

In the long run, if more communities in Montgomery County incorporated, there would be political pressure to reduce county taxes (and services). But the immediate hit would be politically untenable.

It would also be someone politically untenable, because an effort to incorporate Bethesda would certainly by accused of being racist by the usual clowns.

I'm part of a small town gov't body in MoCo. We have total control over parks and trails within town limits. We have total control over land use and zoning, and have used it so that our small town isn't over ran with developers and high density housing. We have town trash/recycling, snow removal, and lighting, all of which I find to be more efficient than when I lived in an unincorporated area of MoCo. Our gov't officials are not paid, it's completely a volunteer, elected body, and it creates less corruption and more of a community feel. You will need man power and a really involved, active community, but it can absolutely be worthwhile.

Unless it’s grandfathered in or the assembly has provided your city special rights, you would not have jurisdiction over MNCPPC, including both parks and planning.

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06/02/2022 17:10

Subject: Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:https://www.maryland-demographics.com/cities_by_population

This says that Chevy Chase View, as well as numerous municipalities of smaller population, are cities. But perhaps it's incorrect.

I appreciate the poster at 16:42. Anyone know the most recent municipality in Maryland to incorporate? Seems the upsides are few and the downsides greater.

Someone tried recently and I think you needed the county's permission or something? So that's another hurdle.

report

06/02/2022 17:26

Subject: Why isn’t Bethesda a city?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.maryland-demographics.com/cities_by_population

This says that Chevy Chase View, as well as numerous municipalities of smaller population, are cities. But perhaps it's incorrect.

I appreciate the poster at 16:42. Anyone know the most recent municipality in Maryland to incorporate? Seems the upsides are few and the downsides greater.

Someone tried recently and I think you needed the county's permission or something? So that's another hurdle.

I think it can be done without support from the County Council but would always require approval in Annapolis.

I would guess that the easiest way to do it would be in multiple stages. First would be to try convert an existing special tax district to town/village status and then to have that new town/city start annexing adjacent, unincorporated areas.