Consultant says county should raise taxes

Prince George's County should consider raising taxes and imposing new fees in order to maintain services during the current recession, according to a report by a San Francisco, Calif.-based financial consultant.

"To continue levels of service and public safety, the county will have to find new revenue sources," Calvin Grigsby wrote in his report for the county, "Adjusting to the Fiscal Impact of the Economic Downturn."

The council heard the report during its Jan. 5 retreat. The report recommends the council consider "revenue streams" to survive the economic downturn, including raising property and hotel taxes and imposing a commuter tax on visiting federal employees.