Perry Council talks short-term rentals

Economic Development Director, Ashley Hardin, addressed Perry Mayor and Council on the subject of short-term rental properties at Monday evening’s work session.

Hardin explained that these properties, which can be found on platforms such as Airbnb, are growing in popularity, and that from the time she started looking into the matter last December to now, the number of these listed properties has grown from 14 in December, to 27 as of Monday, and that because of COVID-19, domestic tourism is on the rise, and these properties have become a significant option.

According to Hardin, she had not brought the matter of short-term rentals to the attention of council because she was waiting to see the outcome of Georgia House Bill 448, which would mandate that a $5.00 nightly rate for state sales tax be charged, and also would have forced forced the collection and submission of a hotel/motel tax at 8% for the city of Perry. The bill passed the Georgia House of Representatives, Hardin noted, but failed to pass the Georgia Senate. Hardin said that she felt it was a great opportunity to capture the untapped revenue stream and presented recommendations for council’s consideration.

Hardin noted that the properties are not currently recognized or regulated by the city, and there are no licenses, no registration and no collection of hotel/motel tax for these properties. Recommendations brought forth by Hardin were to require every listing to have a short-term rental registration with the city, costing $125 per year, and the requirement that hotel/motel tax be collected at a rate of 8%, which would be paid for by the traveler. Hardin also proposed that council work with City Attorney Brooke Newby as well as Community Development Director Bryan Wood to modify or create ordinances that would allow for these properties to exist in residential neighborhoods as, according to Hardin, there are current zonings that prohibit hotels from existing in these areas. This would allow for owners of these properties to register.

Hardin advised also that a service was available by Host Compliance, recently merging with Granicus, that would assist the city in address identification for these properties, monitoring of rental activity, compliance monitoring and provided a 24-hour hot line, which allows concerned neighbors to report non-emergency incidents. Hardin said this would relieve some of the burden from local law enforcement. Hardin explained that this hotline would help to reduce additional burden on local law enforcement. The investment for the service would be an annual fee of $2,500.

Councilman Daryl Albritton brought forth the concern of identifying these short-term rentals as such to neighbors. City Manager Lee Gilmour noted that, “I think that is probably the most important aspect on our neighborhoods, that the residents in that neighborhood are made aware of these type of businesses.” Gilmour also expressed his interest in getting a monitoring report from host compliance to see how many of these types of properties are actually within the city. He also gave importance to contacting these property owners to advise them of what the coming process may be.

Council requested that more information be gathered regarding this issue and that it be brought before council again at a later date.

Also on the agenda was a presentation regarding Downtown Business Gift Cards. Main Street Coordinator Haley Bryant informed council that the Main Street Program has had a program called Downtown Dollars, but that the program could be hard to track and that it also could be troublesome for merchants. Bryant said that the goal was to improve this program in a way that was easier to track and less burdensome to the merchant.

Bryant informed that they have partnered with a third party company called Yiftee and created an electronic gift card for this purpose, which could be treated as an actual MasterCard or Visa gift card to be used at businesses in Downtown Perry. Bryant said in addition to being user friendly, the program stimulates the local economy in support of small businesses. There is no charge, Bryant explained, to the Mainstreet Program or for local merchants. Another benefit that Bryant presented was that the program also aids those businesses that don’t have the availability to have gift cards themselves.

In other business, Public Works Superintendent Ansley Fitzner presented council with a concept design for the dedication sign to be erected at Legacy Park. Fitzner explained that she had been working with Councilwoman Phyllis Bynum-Grace and Murph Burke of GWES on this design. According to Fitzner, the sign would be a “wrought iron fence panel design,” and would contain a commemorative plaque, the city seal, and the city logo. In addition, Fitzner illustrated that there would be medallions in the bottom portion of the sign, representing the United States Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. According to the concept drawing presented, the sign would measure 4’10” tall, and 6’6”wide.

Burke Murph of GWES came to the microphone to inform that GWES would like to donate the fabrication and installation of the sign to the city.

Council permitted to proceed with this concept.

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