Fee increase on tap for St. Augustine vacation rentals after city officials approve raise

The city of St. Augustine has approved a small increase in fees for vacation rental owners, a move that is intended to cover administrative costs and affects about 820 active short-term rentals in the area. City commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to raise the fees, with Commissioner Cynthia Garris saying she supports the modest increase because she doesn’t want to see residents be “overwhelmed” by an increase of hundreds of dollars.