A petition recently brought to Council set out reasoning for property tax relief when it comes to non-receipt by condominium owners for Town services such as garbage collection, snow removal, street lighting and more.
The petition was presented by Eagle Court owners at Westlink subdivision who requested a 30% tax relief in lieu of services not received. The owners pointed out in their petition that, although their condominiums are the same size as neighbouring Fairway Lane condominiums, they do not receive Town services yet are required to pay the same taxes. The difference between the two, Eagle Court and Fairway Lane, however is that the former is considered is designated a private road while the latter is a public street maintained by the Town. Therefore, Eagle Court sees the situation as a ‘two-tier’ system when it comes to services and property taxation.
Several Councillors raised concerns that the request is more extensive and intensive than a simple request by one condominium complex.
Staff pointed out that existing arrangements between condominium corporations were, in many cases, in effect prior to amalgamation.
While the focus of the discussion started out on waste management and curb-side pickup, Deputy Mayor Diane Huber said that it was a broader issue that covered several services and not simply garbage collection.
Vice-Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt also said that the question should be “…delved into more holistically. We should get this resolved one way or another in 2026. I suggest that this needs to be resolved with all the condominium coporations and we need to take a look at the whole picture.”
CAO Kara Van Myall said that “… this does go beyond waste management and should be referred to staff. When condominiums are presented to council, they are private facilities and a universal approach by Council will take a combination of Development Services, Operations and Finance to take a look at it. Let staff take a look.”
“The petition is about a lot more than garbage pickup. In response, it is indicating a concern that they are being taxed without receiving services … and I would like that question answered. There are a lot of properties that don’t receive services,” added Deputy Mayor Diane Huber. “This goes beyond garbage collection and recycling.”
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said that the matter should be referred to staff for an independent report to be brought back to Council.
Councillor Rachel Stack then said that it is relevant as to how property values are assessed. “Is there a difference between condominiums and free-hold properties? i think that’s relevant. We also have to consider the precedent we may be setting. If we are doing a two-tier system, there are consequences that go beyond this one development. We have to be really thoughtful in the issues and it might be beneficial to give staff an ‘issues list’ to contemplate all those that have to be considered. There are a lot of issues and staff needs time to think it through.”
In a pragmatic approach, Councillor Dave Myette, asked “What is the cost to pick up garbage from this stretch of ten homes? When the report comes back, what is the cost of simply stepping up and doing the right thing and picking up the garbage for this one street? One more row of ten homes isn’t going to break the budget. Consistency is a great thing to have across all these condominiums but this is one we keep hearing from.”
Councillor John Divinski also pointed out that he, in fact, lives in a condominium complex that looks like 32 single-family units, but there are those condominiums that are more like apartments in one building. “So, there is a lack of universal for all. In my complex, we are getting taxed for services we don’t get and we have to pay ‘in addition’ for services. We get nailed with tax but without all the services. It’s a big mountain to climb and we have to do it slowly and fairly.”
The motion to refer to staff for a report was carried.
