Steve Berry Speaks to the Sun

http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208~12588~2962178,00.html

The Topic Rental Inspection Fees and Program:

Owners who do not pay the fine would have the amount plus any penalties added to their property-tax bills.

Berry said the inspection program would net the city about $70,000 a year, which would be used to hire a part-time code enforcement officer and a code enforcement clerk.

City officials said there are 327 renter-occupied single-family homes and 1,009 renter-occupied multifamily properties in Grand Terrace.

More than three-fourths of all rental homes are owned by people who live outside the city, officials said.

What the Staff and Steve Berry has not done is provide evidence of the need for such action. How many rentals are blighted or neglected? How many renters are filing complaints in the city? How many renter complaints aren't being addressed by either city or county officials?

No, this is just another way to collect more money, grow the staff, and perhaps even build a case to take someone's property from them at some future date.