Gilmer County commissioners set the fee for short-term rentals in the county and added some safety tweaks to the short-term rental ordinance.
A couple of short-term rental owners pushed back against changes in the work session and public hearing before the ordinance changes were made.
“You are heaping on like we are the Hyatt,” said short-term rental owner Doug Rink.
Rink complained about needing tagged, 5 lb. fire extinguishers in the rentals, a rule banning the use of surge protector strips, a rule mandating how far away from heat sources drapes and flammable material had to be, signage requirements, hospital notifications in the signage or literature and passing along outdoor burning notices.
His wife and co-owner Sandra Rink complained about the proposed fee of $300. She said the fee was excessive and amounted to one weekend of rent.
Short-term rental owner Bill Bhame complained about the changes being made late and was concerned whether short-term rentals were being considered businesses.
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris assured him Gilmer County was not labeling the short-term rentals as businesses, but during a moment of frustration with Rink said this could be revisited.
“A fire extinguisher should be in a home that is being rented,” said Gilmer County Attorney David Clark.
He said requiring smoke alarms are also a prudent requirement.
Commissioners made some compromises, such as surge protector strips are allowed, as long as they are not “daisy-chained.”
Rink was told the Ellijay ER is acceptable for the notifications which could be put in a notebook rather than posted signage.
As for fire extinguishers, Rink was told an up-to-date fire extinguisher in the rental would be acceptable in lieu of hiring a service which checks the fire extinguisher each year.
Commissioners passed the first reading of the tweaked ordinance and fee schedule unanimously.
Cryptomining
Commissioners passed the first reading of an ordinance banning cryptomining in Gilmer County.
This is a revision to the current cryptomining ordinance.
It is now banned in Gilmer County unless the state legislature outlaws the ban. In this case, the county has an ordinance governing the process which goes into effect immediately when the ban is lifted.
Election board
Commissioners came to a consensus and appointed the members of an election board which will take over election oversight duties from the probate judge beginning in 2025.
Laurel Johnson, Mark Holden, Ronda Weiss, Mary Abernathy and Jim Cole were appointed as the five members of the board.
Weiss is also listed as the chair of the Gilmer County GOP on the party’s website.