Why can't you simply escrow the costs of the road repairs with the local government or provide them a letter of credit to accomplish this? 

Local governments haven't a clue as to the dramatic shift in the business they caused and ultimately higher rents and tighter standards they created. 

We attend local town meetings and have great relationships with the towns we operate in, which seems to help a great deal, but it still feels like STR's are at the mercy of decisions made by local governments.

My question is, if I accept the payment (the assistance payment from the government to a low-income tenant), will my property be recorded by the government as "low-income" housing provider?

Just saw this on the local news this morning.Nothing changed yet, but maybe soon.https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/middle-h...

The rents reported by federal government and all calculators for my scenario all point to 250-400 dollars more than what was stated in 1007.

Better income, less turnover, and less government intervention is my kind of business :)

You in no way rented to a government entity. 

See it doesn’t matter, there are no rules governing this.

Back a couple of years ago, there were financial government incentives to install the panels as well as very low (or possible no interest) loans.