News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A special Putnam County committee will analyze a potential permit system for short-term rental properties.
County Commission Chair Ben Rodgers spoke after Monday’s commission meeting about what the purpose of the new committee will be.
“What they’re going to do is review the resolution that was originally drafted that came to the planning committee last week,” Rodgers said. “They’re going to review that and make any modifications from that committee that I appointed tonight and bring it back to the planning committee. From there, either they will recommend it or not recommend it to the county commission.”
The original resolution brought before the planning committee would’ve required short-term rental properties – such as Airbnb and HomeAway locations – to pay hotel-motel taxes and would require a permit by landowners.
Rodgers said the new committee will have 60 days to come back with any proposed changes to the resolution.
“Our rules say that you’ve got to provide a timeline for the work. Otherwise, the special committee has to be reappointed every year and their work is not efficient, or maybe they don’t have to meet at all,” Rodgers said. “I think that’s ample time for them to get together, call a meeting and meet 4-5 times in that 60 days, and let’s iron this out.”
Commissioner Sam Sandlin originally proposed a motion to pass both the original resolution and form the committee. However, the motion failed by one vote, as the commission voted against the amendment 12-10 with two commissioners absent from Monday’s meeting.
Rodgers appointed 11th District Commissioner Kathy Dunn to spearhead the newly-formed five-person committee.
