Dear Editor,
The Eatonton Messenger’s articles covering the issue of short-term rentals in Putnam County seem to be prominent in a lot of recent issues. Letters of Resignation, Letters to the Editor complaining about STRs, and coverage of BOC meetings prevail.
I am writing this letter to you today to offer another perspective.
To begin, my family is an owner of two STRs on Lake Oconee. I have testified twice at (Putnam Board of Commissioners) public meetings that we, as owners, do all we can to ensure that we follow all laws and are respectful of our neighbors.
We screen all renters with respect to the number of people visiting. We work to understand the purpose of each and every renter’s visit. We prohibit “events” and parking on the street, and insist on respecting our neighbor’s privacy and property. We also speak to renters directly to ensure we have open lines of communication.
Why do we rent? We rent because we want to provide a multi-generational legacy for our family in this great location that is Putnam County.
I also have a vision for what that county may look like in the future. That is, I believe Putnam County can be the absolute best and most beautiful county in the country. I have testified before the BOC that our county stands at an inflection point in our history. We are no longer a cotton-based economy, no longer The Diary Capitol of Georgia. So, I asked, “What are we?”
Well, we already are a vacation destination for people throughout the country. Families from all over the U.S. rent with us to have family reunions. Many come to attend weddings. Some see this as a great location for small business retreats. We can document in several instances, those who come to visit with us choose to move here – something that may be familiar to many of your readers.
Yes, the country is changing. And, I am happy to say that I believe Bill Sharp, BOC chairman, and members of the BOC, as well as other county officials, share a similar vision as mine – to move Putnam County forward. Our Chamber of Commerce as well, with president Maggie Milner at the helm, is already having an impact on moving the county forward.
The revenue from short-term rentals has helped Putnam County’s budget grow from $17 million in 2019 to $23 million in 2023. That significant increase is due in part to an 8% hotel/motel tax paid by STRs, as well as a 4% sales tax. The Middle Georgia Regional Commission also reported $72.9 million being spent by visitors to Putnam County.
As more and more people want to come to Putnam County, the incremental revenue can be used to fund road improvements, create parks, and hiking/biking trails, better fund our law enforcement agencies, and build a new community facility with an indoor swimming pool, or adult and child education.
And, with forward-thinking elected and appointed officials, we can implement long-term strategies, as I said, to make Putnam County the most beautiful county in the country. In fact, in my last testimony to the BOC, I suggested a new county motto: “Putnam County, a beautiful place to visit, live, and work, where lakes are large, farms flourish, and activities abound!”
Respectfully submitted, Steven A. Kollross Putnam County