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Chardon to keep closer tabs on renters
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - September 11, 2008)
Chardon to keep closer tabs on renters
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon city officials will borrow a page from the City of Rocky River and add a part-time staffer to better track residential renters in an effort to boost tax revenues.
City Council's finance committee agreed unanimously last week to have legislation prepared to incorporate a section of a Rocky River ordinance into city ordinances to aid in tracking transient renters. The measure will go to City Council for consideration.
Finance Director Jeffery Smock asked the committee to consider amending the ordinances to include the Rocky River provisions, which call for more timely reporting of the comings and goings of renters.
Currently, Mr. Smock said, the city's ordinances require landlords to submit the names and addresses of all tenants. The reporting is done on a semiannual basis on or before July 31 and on or before Jan. 31. He said the process leaves gaps on when renters move in or out of the residential properties, making it difficult to calculate when the city's income tax should begin or end with a particular renter.
The Rocky River ordinance would allow for better tracking when renters arrive or depart the city, Mr. Smock said. He said it requires landlords to notify the city within 30 days of a renter moving in or out.
The ordinance states, "Within 30 days after a new tenant occupies residential rental property of any kind within the city, all property owners of rental or leased residential property shall file with the director of finance a report showing the names, Social Security numbers and addresses of each tenant who occupies a residential premises" within the city limits. A similar provision requires the 30-day notification for renters leaving the city.
The proposed ordinance makes provisions for renters who may not wish to reveal their Social Security numbers to their landlords, allowing them to notify the city personally.
Councilman Robert Cromwell said he has concerns whether the new legislation could be enforced and backed by penalties.
Mr. Smock said the city has had problems in enforcing its existing ordinance, but penalties are in place to assess landlords who fail to report. "Enforcement now is people knocking on doors when people don't respond to our letter."
He said that hiring a part-time person to concentrate on rental properties may benefit the city. He said the part-time person would work 16 hours a week, or two full days, to start. The position would pay $11.63 an hour and include payment into the state Public Employees Retirement System. He said the employee would receive no sick or vacation benefits. The annual cost for the employee would be $11,170, he said.
Mr. Cromwell said, if the program is successful, the city will see an increase in its income-tax collections, but, if no added revenues are realized, the city will cut the position. "I think it will be money well spent, and, if not, we'll admit our error," he said.
The committee agreed to post the position rather than hire immediately from within.
Mr. Smock said council must make a motion to add the position to the city's pay schedule.
Councilman Jefferey Campbell Jr. said he would like to include something in the legislation that notes that the position is temporary if no additional revenues are realized. He said often when a position is created it becomes permanent.
Mr. Cromwell agreed, saying he does not want the part-time person to begin assuming other duties within the city and then become a permanent employee if the new program is not successful.
Councilman Philip King said the city could make the position effective for one year. Council would then review it and determine whether it will continue, he said.
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