A prominent topic was the city’s struggle to enforce existing short-term rental regulations effectively. The commission heard that only roughly 250 out of an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 short-term rentals are currently registered. To address this, the possibility of hiring a dedicated code enforcement officer was discussed. The debate centered on whether this position should be part-time or full-time, with suggestions that existing staff could share the workload or that the city could collaborate with other municipalities facing similar challenges.

The commission considered the financial implications of such a hire, with some participants suggesting that increased enforcement could potentially offset the costs through higher registration fees and fines for non-compliance. There was a suggestion that the city could benefit from increased tax revenues if properties in violation of homestead exemptions were identified as vacation rentals.

The feasibility of managing the registration process with a single individual was questioned. Some participants proposed increasing the number of code enforcement officers to three to five to effectively handle the workload. This suggestion came with an acknowledgment that the City Manager should have the flexibility to structure hiring decisions creatively, such as through a cost-plus contract, providing scalability in staffing.

The meeting also addressed the introduction of Ordinance 1694, aimed at tackling misleading advertising by short-term rental operators. This ordinance is intended to protect residents and visitors from deceptive advertisements that misrepresent rental capacities. The ordinance would empower the city to impose immediate fines on repeat offenders. Participants noted the ordinance’s potential effectiveness and cited successful implementations in other areas as evidence.

Public comments during the meeting emphasized the community’s frustration with the current situation and the need for better communication channels between residents and city officials. There was a call for the city to establish a solid database and improve compliance monitoring efficiently, given the lack of significant growth in the area.

The commission also discussed forming a formal task force to engage community members passionate about these issues. However, concerns were raised about the Sunshine Law, which governs public meetings and could limit volunteer interactions. Despite this, there was support for creating a standing board or task force to provide a formal avenue for residents to express concerns and receive updates on city actions.

In addition to the focus on short-term rentals, the commission approved other significant items. Ordinance Number 1688, which amended the city’s comprehensive plan, was passed without opposition. The changes included updates to future land use and infrastructure elements to reflect current and projected growth. Additionally, Ordinance Number 1689, concerning flood damage prevention in the city’s Land Development Code, was also approved. These updates were necessary to maintain the city’s community rating under the National Flood Insurance Program, preventing potential increases in insurance costs for residents.

The meeting concluded with the approval of a contract related to an inflow and infiltration abatement program, part of a $15 million principal forgiveness initiative. This ensured that the city’s financial plans accounted for necessary infrastructure improvements.