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At Wednesday’s Hancock City Council meeting, no rental fee schedule was agreed upon, setting up the need for another meeting next week before the new ordinance takes effect on February 1st. What had been proposed was a one-time $250 administration charge for the initial paperwork and inspection. Afterwards, there would be an annual fee of $100 per property or $30 per unit, whichever is more, assessed each June. That annual charge would cover a routine examination every three years. If there is the need for the inspector to come back out to the property, rescheduling for example, that would cost $50.
Councilman John Haeussler said he found the amounts to be reasonable.
Others agreed.
A sticking point is the fact there is thought to be hundreds of rental properties in the city. With one inspector, it is impossible to get to all of those in the first year says City Manager Mary Babcock.
Another problem is maintaining an annual inspection cycle going forward that is consistent if the initial inspections happen too quickly. Councilman Kurt Rickard said those who register first will inevitably pay more than those registered in 2022 or 2023 given the current fee schedule.
Another piece of older business that was debated at length was blight. Many members referenced a presentation given earlier in the month and said they hoped that the city would focus only on major issues, rather than flaking paint chips or other more superficial concerns. Mayor Labine agreed with that point.
