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Resident urges repeal of city code sections 187 and 95, says repeal would lower rents and free funds for the general fund
Summary
During the May 12 meeting, Mr. Kenberry urged the council to remove city code sections 187 and 95, claiming repeal would lower rental costs by $75 per unit and free at least $200,000 for the general fund; council did not debate the request during the session.
During the public comment period at the Hagerstown Mayor and Council special session on May 12, resident Kenberry urged the council to remove and not reauthorize city code sections 187 and 95, arguing the action would reduce rental costs, return housing units to the market and trim administrative burdens.
"By removing section 187, you immediately reduce the cost of every rental unit in the city of Hagerstown by $75," Kenberry said, adding that repeal would "immediately increase the general fund by at least $200,000" because the program he described "siphons money from the general fund to operate." He further said removal would reduce complaints, legal costs and paperwork and increase the availability of rental units.
Council did not engage in substantial discussion or take formal action on the suggestion during the meeting. The comment was part of a wider public-comment segment that also included a submitted remark from someone identified only as Lilith opposing rate increases and suggesting regulation of short-term rentals as a revenue source.
What was not resolved
Kenberry offered fiscal estimates for the effect of repealing the cited code sections; the council session did not include staff response or a formal fiscal analysis during the hearing. The transcript records the public comment but no vote or directive to staff to prepare an analysis.
