Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM:	City Manager David L. Corliss
Date:	February 12, 2009
RE:	Rental Registration Expansion

Commissioners,

City staff has provided an extensive analysis of the possible benefits and costs of our rental registration program.  As Commissioners have questions, staff will continue to further explain and refine the existing proposal.  We are placing this on the Commission agenda at this time to follow through on our plans in the preparation of the 2009 City budget which included budgeting authority for an expanded program based upon final Commission approval. While seeing substantial community benefit to an expanded program, my recommendation is to not pursue the program expansion at this time because of the significant economic challenges both the City and the community are facing.  The necessary fee increase to fund the program will likely be passed on to renters at a very challenging economic time.  Providing the necessary expansion of City staffing for the program at a time when we may be facing a reduction in City staffing in other programs is also a challenge.   My recommendation is to hold expansion in abeyance with the plan to bring consideration back at a future date. 

Understanding, that the final decision rests with the Commission, I believe there are several options:

1) Proceed with expansion of the program and ordinance adoption;

2) Permanently stop further consideration of the expanded program;

3) Hold off on implementation at this point;

4) Other options suggested by commissioners or members of the public.