How Data-Driven Policies Can Help States and Localities - Route Fifty

We're living in one of the most politically polarized times ever in our country. The left versus right platform grandstanding that used to play out mainly at the national level has made its way into our local communities. What used to be an environment where city councils made decisions based on what was best for their collective citizens is transforming into one where votes are cast based purely on political platform loyalty.

As this article highlights, using data to frame discussions and inform decisions is an excellent way to reverse this trend. The article points out how communities like Tulsa have used data to establish breakthrough policies on issues that have bogged down in the past. At Verdunity, we use data to explain how land use, development, and infrastructure decisions connect to the short and long-term financial health of cities as well as affordability and taxpayer ROI, and we've witnessed firsthand how this information can change people's minds and bring people together around commonly shared values of fiscal responsibility, equity, and affordability. I've recently been talking with Shayne Kavanagh at GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association), Andrew Kleine, and some city CFOs about program and outcome-based budgeting, where they too are looking to use data to evaluate current policies and methods. If you're not already collecting and applying data in these ways, I'd encourage you to dig in. It takes some time to get things set up, but the benefits going forward will make it worth it. –Kevin

Short-Term Rental | Atlanta, GA

The “City of Atlanta Short-Term Rental Ordinance” went into effect on March 1, 2022 and is a step forward to making short term rentals more acceptable by communities. This ordinance requires that all host be issued a license by the City and limits hosts to only two properties, where one is their primary residence. The factor that stood out to me the most was that they must notify neighbors that the properties are listed as short term rentals. Additional rules for hosts and tenants/renters are also included.

Having worked with several cities throughout Texas, the amount of inquiries Staff receives regarding short term rentals is pretty large. People want to know how to list their properties while others want to know how to avoid having their neighbors be short term rentals. The requirements in this ordinance put a stop to investors listing properties without having an interest in the community that is being impacted. Requiring hosts to have one of the two properties as a primary residence forces the host to have a close connection to the listing. While reaching out to neighbors kind of says, “hey, there may be some unfamiliar faces next door. If they cause any issues, let me know.” And sometimes, that’s all the neighbor needs - reassurance. Short term rentals are becoming more and more common today. Many travelers are opting out of hotels and prefer to embrace the community in a more authentic environment. Many hosts choose to list a room or their entire home to bring in supplemental income. Finding the “right way” to operate short term rentals is still in the works but it seems Atlanta is on the right path. –Karina

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