Moose Jaw city council approved a new policy during its meeting last night that allows condominium corporations to take responsibility for paying stormwater utility charges on behalf of all unit owners within their developments. 

Council adopted the Storm Water Utility Condominium Agreement Policy and a standardized agreement framework intended to streamline billing and collection for condominium properties while maintaining the city’s authority under the existing Storm Water Utility Bylaw. 

Administration said the policy provides a voluntary option for condominium corporations that want to receive a single bill covering all units within a development instead of having charges applied directly to individual owners. 

Coun. Heather Eby said this is something that local condo associations have been asking for. 

“We have heard over the last several months that many condo associations were asking for this,” Eby said. 

“I had a call last week from one of the condominium association gentlemen saying, when is this going to be ready for us? So, I know that it’s been anticipated by many of them.” 

City treasurer Stephanie Meyer said city administration did get some feedback on the policy. 

“I would say we’ve heard from less than half of the associations,” Meyer said. 

“Understand, there are 906 condo accounts, so we certainly haven’t heard from everybody. I will just say that I know of more than 10 condo associations that I’ve specifically spoken to over the last year about this, and three of those in the last three months have repeatedly followed up looking for information.” 

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Voluntary agreement with the city 

Under the new framework, condominium corporations can enter into a written agreement with the city and become responsible for the total stormwater management charges assessed to the property. 

“Ultimately, it is up to the landlord or condominium association to decide that it works for their arrangement to enter into the agreement with the city for that building arrangement to take place,” said Meyer. 

The bill may be sent directly to the condominium corporation or to a designated property manager acting on its behalf. 

The agreement applies to all units within a condominium property identified by legal description or roll number. 

While corporations may choose to recover costs from owners through their internal processes, the corporation remains responsible for ensuring payment is made to the city. 

The policy is designed to provide consistent procedures for approving, administering and monitoring the agreements. 

City retains collection authority 

Administration noted the agreement does not alter the city’s powers under Bylaw No. 5733, the Storm Water Utility Bylaw. 

If stormwater charges remain unpaid for more than 30 days, the city will retain the ability to pursue collection directly from individual condominium unit owners in accordance with the bylaw, even if the condo corporation has signed an agreement. 

The corporation would continue to be liable for any outstanding amounts not collected by the city. 

The agreement also requires condo corporations to notify the city of changes involving a designated property manager, ownership structure, dissolution or restructuring. 

Either party may terminate an agreement through written notice.  

Following termination, stormwater utility charges would once again be billed directly to individual condo unit owners. 

No change to rates 

According to the report presented to city council, the policy affects only the method of billing and collection and does not change stormwater utility rates established under the city’s bylaw. 

Administration said no additional operating or capital funding is required as a result of the policy. 

Utilities and Revenue Services will oversee the agreements, maintain records and monitor participating accounts. 

Following council approval, the standardized agreement will be made available to eligible condo corporations.

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