MSUA staff to notify Saint James Court tenants, possible shutoff after six-figure unpaid utility balance

The MSUA Board of Trustees on Thursday heard from utility billing staff about a six-figure unpaid account tied to Saint James Court and was told staff will post 30-day notices to tenants and may shut off utilities if the owner does not bring the balance current.

The trust manager told the board the authority had planned a meeting with the property owner that day but the owner did not attend, and staff decided to notify tenants that power could be shut off in 30 days unless the account is paid. "We made the decision that we were gonna notify all the tenants that, we're gonna shut off their power in 30 days if they do not pay," the trust manager said. Utility billing staff reported a certified letter sent in August was returned as refused.

The issue dates back at least to 2023, staff said, and arose in part because the building's rooftop chiller has been evaporating water at a high rate in heat and humidity, increasing usage and bills. Staff said the owner has been allowed a partial monthly payment arrangement in the past, sometimes around $14,000 a month, and that the account had grown despite those payments. A specific…