Stormwater
STORMWATER BILLING RESUMES
The Town of Cobourg and Lakefront Utility Services Inc. (LUSI) would like to inform residents that Stormwater Management charges have resumed as of February 2024.
In December, Lakefront Utility Services informed the Town of issues discovered in certain billing cycles. As part of their commitment to transparent and accurate billing, LUSI made the recommendation to pause all stormwater billing until these issues could be corrected. Following a comprehensive review, accounts have now been reconciled and tested, and billing has resumed as of February 2024.
As per the Town of Cobourg Bylaw 048-2022, stormwater bills are to be issued to the property owner via their monthly utility bill. Annual stormwater rates are calculated per hectare of property and divided evenly over the 12 months of the year. Stormwater rates are not billed based on water or hydro usage and are listed as a separate fee on customer billing.
The February stormwater bill will reflect all unbilled stormwater charges to date. March 2024 billing will begin the return to regular monthly billing.
Payment Plans Available:
The Town of Cobourg and LUSI recognize that the first stormwater bill of 2024 will be higher than anticipated. In response, all interest on overdue stormwater amounts will be waived until June 1, 2024. Customers requiring more time to pay stormwater charges are asked to call Lakefront Utility Services Inc. at 905-372-2193 to make payment arrangements. Information about stormwater billing and payments is being sent with the February bill and can also be found here.
Council to Review Stormwater Charges
At the Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Regular Council Meeting, Council passed a motion advising staff to engage Stormwater Management consultants, Watson & Associates, to review the stormwater rate study and report back to Council with alternative approaches. Council has also asked staff to review the impact of a $200.00/year residential cap on stormwater charges as recommended by a resident delegation to Council. The timing of this review process is currently unknown; however, the Town of Cobourg will continue to keep residents updated on any changes to stormwater billing.
For more information, please see the Town of Cobourg’s Public Notice – Stormwater Billing to Resume February 2024
Please visit the Town of Cobourg’s website for more information, including Frequently Asked Questions and information regarding the implementation of the new Stormwater Management fees.
The Town of Cobourg received all property sizes from MPAC. The appeal process for stormwater rates is related to the property area listed on your MPAC assessment. If you believe your property size needs to be confirmed, submit a property confirmation request form, and a Town of Cobourg staff member will follow up with you.