College Station City Council Deliberates Budget for Staffing Local Housing Laws Enforcement
The College Station City Council, in its recent budget deliberations, has considered the requirement of adequate staffing to enforce local housing occupancy laws. The issue came up during the council’s budget discussions held on July 16, 2024, and was a reaction to the real-world application and enforcement of the law.
Reduced Activity During the Summer
City Manager Bryan Woods noted that since enforcement resumed on June 1st, there has been little activity regarding the enforcement, primarily due to fewer Texas A&M students being in town during the summer periods. However, he anticipates that scenario could change as the new academic year gets underway, leading to potential increases in violations of the housing occupancy laws. He suggested that even if things progress smoothly, the enforcement of the law would remain a focal point for the council in the upcoming months.
Staff Coverage Concerns
The discussion on the enforcement of the housing occupancy law and its resulting ramifications saw input from several council members, including Elizabeth Cunha and Mark Smith. A focal point of the debate was the proposal in the fiscal year 2025 budget to add deputy municipal court clerks who would be responsible for enforcing the ordinance which limits housing occupancy to no more than four unrelated residents.
In response to this, Mayor John Nichols reiterated to the council that the city manager believes that the existing staff count is adequate for the enforcement of the housing laws. Essentially, there may not be a need for additional hires to ensure compliance.
Public Reaction to Housing Laws Enforcement
In light of the discussion, the public’s reaction towards the enforcement of housing laws remains varied. Some residents argue for stricter regulations and enforcement, citing the influence of the Texas A&M students who often rent in bulk, exceeding the four-person limit. Others, however, believe in a more moderate approach, arguing that strict enforcement might lead to housing shortages or increased rents.
As the discussions progress, the city council aims to ensure a balance between effective occupancy law enforcement and maintaining reasonable living conditions for the city’s residents, especially the student community. The proposed clash between the existing staff and the proposed role of deputy municipal court clerks promises to be an interesting debate in the city council’s upcoming budget discussions.
