City Settles into New Office, Welcomes New Office Assistant, and Starts Short Term Rental Permitting

Staff change at the City Office:

I am pleased to announce that Jill Collins will be joining the City as Office Administrator replacing Chris Cushing who is leaving to dedicate her full attention to her business. Jill is a Holiday Island resident and has experience in governmental affairs having worked in the Carroll County Clerk’s office as well as being the assistant to Judge Griffen during her interim term as County Judge. Chris was a great asset to the City especially helping us establish this position. We wish her well with her business.

Conditional Use Permits required for short term rentals:

The City Council recently passed Ordinance 2023-016 making it a requirement for property owners operating a short-term rental (sometimes called VRBO’s or B&B’s) on their property to obtain a conditional use permit. In order to assure the health and safety of residents in the city as well as protecting the property values and quality of life for residential properties adjacent to the rentals, the ordinance defines the conditions under which a short-term rental can be operated. By law, a public hearing is required before issuing a conditional use permit. The Planning Commission has already been receiving applications and has public hearings scheduled.

The City realizes that vacation rentals are an important part of our economy and intends to continue to promote the tourism industry here. This ordinance assures that the activities be undertaken in a controlled manner. We will be sending out a notification to all property owners with an improved lot to make sure they are aware of the ordinance.

All settled in:

We’re all settled in our new offices at 5 Forest Park Drive next to the Sheriff Substation. While we appreciated having the office space at the District Office, having everyone working out of one room often became problematic. We frequently had Planning Commission activity, building permitting review and other regular city business going on at the same time in the same space. The new space is much more productive in that regard.

We plan to have an open house and ribbon cutting at 4:30 on the 21st before the November City Council meeting. We hope you all can come by and get familiar with our new “city hall”.