Lake Holcombe Town Board - It’s the wild west for short-term rentals

Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce tourism director Sue Leonard spoke Aug. 8, to the Lake Holcombe Town Board, about what role the chamber can play in helping out with short-term rental tax. There are several ways the town can set up the fee, which they are exploring. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Nothing has been decided yet, but discussions continue to take place with the Lake Holcombe Town Board, about third-party rentals or short-term rentals. The AirBnBs or VRBOs are heavy on the minds of town officials, as they want to make sure the owners are following regulations, with safe practices in place for each renter in mind.

It also wouldn’t hurt to bring in some revenue from the ventures. That’s why Sue Leonard, Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce tourism director, was present at a meeting, Aug. 8, to talk about how her department manages a room tax that is set up by a municipality.

Leonard is aware that there aren’t many places to stay in the Holcombe area, other than campgrounds and short-term rentals, but that the need is great.

“We know…that Holcombe, as a destination, is really the second most visited location in the county,” said Leonard. “This whole northwest corner of the county is important for tourism.”

The town sets up the percentage collected for a fee, and can use 30 percent of the revenue for road repair, purchase of equipment, etc. The other 70 percent has to be used for generating tourism activities.

However, there are different ways to set up a room tax, such as joining with the neighboring townships. Supervisor Doug Olson feels as though the town could work with Birch Creek, for example, to write the same ordinance, which would help with enforcement and less confusion on the part of renters.

“Essentially, Holcombe is split in half, he said. “You don’t necessarily have to stand alone, but you can,” said Leonard.

While the chamber is on board with helping the town in any way they can, it was noted that the county ordinance in place only deals with making sure the rentals are up-to-code, with working smoke detectors and well inspection. Anything else is up to the town.

Although property owners need to register the rental, sometimes, they don’t do so, whether by misinformation or wanting to avoid paying fees.

“People will try to run under the radar,” said Leonard. The chamber can help the town keep track of any thirdparty rentals, but as the short-term rentals are comparatively new, it’s difficult for them to fall under any one category.

“They’re kind of the wild west,” said Allyson Wisniewski, Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce president.

Also during the meeting, Olson followed up on the operating agreement that was mentioned at a previous meeting, between the town and the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial.

“There are some things we really need to get more formalized,” said Olson.

Olson reviewed the memorial’s letter request to become part of the town, that was done early on. Per that, Olson is all for setting that up officially, according to state statutes. That way, if new board or committee members question what the agreement is, it’s in writing.

“It’s just getting better, that’s what that’s all about,” said town treasurer/committee chair Jim Mataczynski.

Coming up, is the Saturday, Aug. 24, recycle round-up, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the town shop area, for residents to dispose of unwanted items.