Reply to Why does Montgomery County Subsidize Taxes for Country Clubs?

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Reply to "Why does Montgomery County Subsidize Taxes for Country Clubs?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
The clubs are paying their fair share. They are in compliance with the tax code. You are using the term subsidize incorrectly. Subsidize would be if the county was providing credits if the clubs began failing because fewer people were joining.

It feels like a weak argument to keep some clubs and the farms but target certain clubs. You're being arbitrary with the tax code and allowing unnecessary farms to continue with the agri rate but you are changing clubs with a golf course over to the residential rate because you don't like them. Plus if you rezone country clubs into residential zones with residential tax rates then why wouldn't the club owner or membership just sell to developers to build houses and make a windfall? They could rebuild a much more extensive club over in VA which would welcome them with open arms.

You can't have it both ways by changing the zoning to make an arbitrary selection of businesses using more undeveloped land change from the agri to the residential tax but then not allow them to conduct actions within residential zoning allowances. 
[/quote]

The definitions of subsidize are:
1. support (an organization or activity) financially.
2. pay part of the cost of producing (something) to reduce prices for the buyer.

We are supporting the country clubs financially.  We are lowering their costs so that they can offer lower membership rates to their members, e.g. the users of the club.

This is most definitely a subsidy.

I have no problem with golf courses.  I have a problem with exclusive and restrictive membership organizations receiving a tax subsidy.  You are giving tax money to a service that is only available to a limited portion of the public that is paying into it. I also have a problem with churches and other religious institutions receiving tax discounts and exemptions.  Such organizations can make their money from tithing being supported by their membership.

As for such clubs moving to Virginia, there is a certain equilibrium between how far people are willing to go for a luxury and where people want it.  There are plenty of people with money who will pay higher rates to be a part of an exclusive club with restrictive membership.  And as has been pointed out in other threads, MD has the most millionaires and wealthy individuals than any other state.  Those individuals can pay for the club if they want it.  And many of them don't want to have to drive an hour to Virginia to go to their country club, more if they are trying to get there during any busy traffic time.  Plus, there are already gold country clubs in Virginia.  The market will only bear so much and they will be competing for much of the same clientele.  They can move, but there's no guarantee that they won't be dividing up the patronage with other courses.[/quote]

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