What would it take for Bethesda to secede from Montgomery County?

[Anonymous]

I increasingly feel that county-level governance is at odds with local preferences in Bethesda, or at least my pocket of it. The Westbard project is a good example.

I'm sure it's not super realistic, but what would it take for Bethesda to secede from the county and exist as an independent municipality? Any thoughts on the pros and cons?

[Anonymous]

LOL it'll be the Vatican for rich people.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they could band with McLean and North North Arlington and form a superpower.

[Anonymous]

Are you willing to pay a lot in taxes for this? Think about all the county services you get -- 911, fire, police, school budget, etc.. Would they have to buy out all the county owned buildings like the schools?

[Anonymous]

Might be worth it in the long, or even not so long, run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you willing to pay a lot in taxes for this? Think about all the county services you get -- 911, fire, police, school budget, etc.. Would they have to buy out all the county owned buildings like the schools?

Bethesda residents already pay a lot in taxes, I suspect proportionally more than many other parts of the county because incomes are higher.

Good question on the school buildings. I guess one could argue that our previous taxes paid for those buildings already.

[Anonymous]

Please wade through the State Constitution and let us know. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Actually Bethesda can just incorporate, like Chevy Chase, Glen Echo, and Takoma Park. That puts a lot of planning in the hands of local government, while still leaving the larger areas (schools) to the county.

In the case of Westbard, the one thing that may help future projects (too late on Westbard) is some turnover in the County Council, who seem to be in bed with developers and also are involved in choosing who's on the Planning board. There will be a referendum on November's ballot to add term limits, which I think are sorely needed:

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/Web-2016/GOP-Activist-Says-Term-Limit-Question-A-Virtual-Certainty-on-November-Ballot/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually Bethesda can just incorporate, like Chevy Chase, Glen Echo, and Takoma Park. That puts a lot of planning in the hands of local government, while still leaving the larger areas (schools) to the county.

In the case of Westbard, the one thing that may help future projects (too late on Westbard) is some turnover in the County Council, who seem to be in bed with developers and also are involved in choosing who's on the Planning board. There will be a referendum on November's ballot to add term limits, which I think are sorely needed:

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/Web-2016/GOP-Activist-Says-Term-Limit-Question-A-Virtual-Certainty-on-November-Ballot/

City of Rockville Government has their heads up their butts. You may secede, however you will only be as good as the people you elect to run your little city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you willing to pay a lot in taxes for this? Think about all the county services you get -- 911, fire, police, school budget, etc.. Would they have to buy out all the county owned buildings like the schools?

Bethesda residents already pay a lot in taxes, I suspect proportionally more than many other parts of the county because incomes are higher.

Good question on the school buildings. I guess one could argue that our previous taxes paid for those buildings already.

Tax rates are the same across the county. You pay more because your home value is higher. That doesn't mean you are due more services. And no, just because you all paid taxes to the county, it doesn't mean you own those schools buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you willing to pay a lot in taxes for this? Think about all the county services you get -- 911, fire, police, school budget, etc.. Would they have to buy out all the county owned buildings like the schools?

Bethesda residents already pay a lot in taxes, I suspect proportionally more than many other parts of the county because incomes are higher.

Good question on the school buildings. I guess one could argue that our previous taxes paid for those buildings already.

Tax rates are the same across the county. You pay more because your home value is higher. That doesn't mean you are due more services. And no, just because you all paid taxes to the county, it doesn't mean you own those schools buildings.

I didn't say we were due more services, just responding to the first poster who noted that we'd have to pay for services. I suspect our taxes (both RE taxes and the 60% county upcharge on state income taxes) would cover those services. And I didn't say the rates were different, I specifically said incomes are higher.

There are other states (MA is one, where I also have a house) where many services are provided at the town level and it works pretty well. Our town there did combine with a neighboring town for schools because the schools were too small but the scale of Bethesda can probably support its own school system.

I'm not the one making the suggestion here, but it has some appeal.

[Anonymous]

SHUT. UP. IDIOT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you willing to pay a lot in taxes for this? Think about all the county services you get -- 911, fire, police, school budget, etc.. Would they have to buy out all the county owned buildings like the schools?

Bethesda residents already pay a lot in taxes, I suspect proportionally more than many other parts of the county because incomes are higher.

Good question on the school buildings. I guess one could argue that our previous taxes paid for those buildings already.

Tax rates are the same across the county. You pay more because your home value is higher. That doesn't mean you are due more services. And no, just because you all paid taxes to the county, it doesn't mean you own those schools buildings.

I didn't say we were due more services, just responding to the first poster who noted that we'd have to pay for services. I suspect our taxes (both RE taxes and the 60% county upcharge on state income taxes) would cover those services. And I didn't say the rates were different, I specifically said incomes are higher.

There are other states (MA is one, where I also have a house) where many services are provided at the town level and it works pretty well. Our town there did combine with a neighboring town for schools because the schools were too small but the scale of Bethesda can probably support its own school system.

I'm not the one making the suggestion here, but it has some appeal.

I'm sure there are lots of people from all over who sometimes wish they were not part of their county. But, reality is that there are probably way more pros than cons at this point. If you or OP dislike it that much, and there are many like you in Bethesda, then you should try to secede and see how it goes. I would find it very interesting to watch from the outside.

[Anonymous]

First you would have to buy all the school buildings and land from the county...let us know when you are ready. And your teachers? They all work from MCPS.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what the goal of being independent is. If it's just planning, you could have a neighborhood establish their own HOA and take over some services too. For example, in Avenel (part of which is in Bethesda), they handle their own road maintenance and snow clearing I believe. I assume they have some type of HOA to approve new construction and renovations also.