Council presses for more full‑time code enforcement as short‑term rental complaints rise

College Park City Council members pressed staff at their April 15 budget workshop to strengthen code enforcement staffing and legal enforcement of illegal short‑term rentals, arguing the city needs on‑the‑ground capacity to address parking, trash and noisy parties.

Council members raised the shortfall in the code enforcement line (GL 505010), noting the packet shows $72,720 in salaries paid year‑to‑date against a proposed FY27 allocation near $295,000. Staff explained the difference stems from recent vacancies and a new hire who replaced a long‑vacant position.

Ms. Walters, who presented code enforcement figures, said the city no longer uses the previous 'ambassadors' who rode along with officers because risk management identified liability and insurance gaps. "I checked with the risk management and... that was what I was told that it was a kind of a big liability for them to be riding along with the code enforcement officers," she said.

Council members pressed whether the four current officers can enforce rules on short‑term rentals — a frequent source of complaints — and whether part‑time or ambassador‑style positions would fill gaps for evenings and weekends. Staff said effective enforcement of short‑term rental violations would require an additional full‑time code enforcement officer. "If we did we would need to hire another code enforcement officer full‑time, not an ambassador... That's a full‑time job right there," Ms. Walters said.

Council and staff directed finance and human resources to model alternatives that could fit the FY27 numbers, including hiring a full‑time officer, hiring part‑time officers to cover evenings and weekends, or converting prior ambassador roles to part‑time driving positions if insurance and training requirements were met. Council asked for cost comparisons and an implementation plan that would not expand the overall budget unless necessary.

Why it matters: Council members said short‑term rentals are driving nuisance complaints (trash, parking and noise) in multiple wards and that better enforcement could allow the city to collect fines and deter repeat violations. Staff additionally noted that much enforcement and inspection work historically drew from inspection budgets; Council asked staff to clarify budget line responsibilities so expected expenditures and enforcement outcomes are transparent.

Next steps: Staff agreed to return cost estimates for a new full‑time officer and for part‑time coverage options, including the training and insurance steps needed if ambassadors or part‑time workers are used. The council also asked for clearer supporting documentation in the packet (org charts and line‑item details) before finalizing staffing decisions.