ORR - The council here will hold a public forum next month on whether the city should enact a policy governing rental properties within the city.

The forum is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, March 11, one hour before the council’s regular monthly meeting.

City Clerk Cheri Carter said the city has received several calls from parties interested in acquiring properties in the area to use as seasonal rentals.

Carter included a draft ordinance in councilors’ packets Monday evening.

Short-term rentals would be defined as renting of a room or entire residence for a period of less than thirty days and not an established business.

The proposal would also see the city require a $125 permitting fee for a short-term rental permit that would expire yearly. Permits would not be transferable.

“Maybe in the whole scheme of things, this is something we need put in,” Maintenance Supervisor Paul Koch said.

“If we don’t do it, we will be behind it and we’ll be trying to catch up,” Councilman Bruce Black said.

The consensus among the council was that the permits are a good idea but they wanted to hear from city residents before proceeding.

Carter said she would send notices in the next round of utility bills.

A search of the largest short-term rental site, Airbnb, did not show any current properties listed within the city of Orr.

In other business, the council:

Approved transferring their federal airport allotment of $150,000 this year to the Fairmont Airport since Orr does not have a major project planned for 2019. The allotment will be recouped in July 2021.

Approved travel requests for some EMT volunteers to attend training.

Approved a new water heater for the liquor store.

Approved a request for purchases for the EMS service.