So I don't think there really is an argument to dissolve CA and replace it with a city government. My sense is that when people say they "want Columbia to be an incorporated city" it's really just an expression of exasperation with CA and an expression of pride in Columbia as Maryland's second largest city with a unique heritage (both of which I appreciate). They aren't actually outlining an affirmative vision nor executable plan to do something different. So without a coherent plan to do achieve incorporation, it's impossible to have the type of coherent counterargument that you are asking for.

I'm not trying to dodge a comprehensive response here… just saying the burden of proof really needs to be on the people who support incorporation to develop a concrete plan instead of asking people who are skeptical of nebulous idea to explain their point of view. I can say that divorcing the a hypothetical city from the services the county provides (fire, water, sewer, schools, roads, etc.) sounds like something that would inevitably end up worse for both Columbia and non-Columbia residents.

But I also I want to respond to one specific thing you said - that incorporating Columbia would "flatten the layers of government and increase accountability." This demonstrates a common - and harmful - view that CA and/or the villages currently exists as a layer in between the county and people living in Columbia. This is absolutely not true but way too many people act as if it is. People who live in Columbia that have an issue with roads, schools, utilities, etc. can and should go directly to their county representative, BOE representative, and/or appropriate government agency. The fact that many people go to CA or their village on these issues - who have zero authority over these issues - instead of their county representatives is a self-inflicted problem based on a misconception of responsibility. Even worse is when CA or village representatives themselves pretend like they have some authority over those issues - it’s a major disservice to the community for the representatives to LARP like they can fix those issues but it regularly happens.

I should note that many CA/village representatives do the right thing when a resident comes to them regarding a county issue and simply serve as a knowledgeable source of information and point their neighbors people in the right direction towards the appropriate county point of contact… but way too many of them start LARPing like they have power and authority they don't actually have. This is a disservice to everyone.

PS - Glad to hear you like CA's facilities! Me too!