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Council adopts modest rental‑license fee schedule, keeps enforcement timeline tied to April 1
Summary
After staff presented several fee scenarios, the council settled on a moderate option (referred to in the meeting as “scenario 1.5”) that preserves a lenient early‑payment window but raises penalties for payments made after April 1; staff budgeted $75,000 in revenue for the licensing account under the chosen scenario.
The Frostburg City Council agreed on a moderate change to the city’s rental‑housing registration (licensing) fees, selecting the staff‑presented scenario labeled “1.5.” Councilors described the choice as preserving a broad early‑payment window while increasing the fee for late filers and maintaining the program’s compliance and inspection priorities.
Staff said the city’s rental‑licensing program covers a little over 1,800 units inspected on a three‑year cycle and that inspections average roughly 600 units per year. The administration told councilors it budgeted $75,000 in revenue for the licensing account in FY26 under the selected scenario.
During discussion, councilors and staff emphasized the program’s enforcement purpose: timely registration helps the city reconcile unit counts for utility surcharges and EDU calculations done each February. Staff said roughly 55% of owners pay in January and 5–10% wait until April, which has in prior years driven late‑payment penalties. The council debated how steep late penalties should be and whether the schedule would be perceived as punitive to landlords; ultimately, members said they preferred a moderate approach that encourages timely compliance while allowing some grace for those who pay early.
Council members voiced approval for scenario 1.5: "I’m content with 1 and a half," one commissioner said, and the chair noted that the change still gives a 30‑day grace period before more substantial penalties apply. Staff clarified that citations remain an enforcement tool for repeated or deliberate noncompliance.
Ending: Staff will incorporate the chosen scenario into the budget ordinance and proceed with the registration language; councilors asked staff to emphasize reminders and compliance outreach to landlords.
