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Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you
Read by hand. We read Addington Highlands's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.

Questions · 9 so far

Things worth asking about

We read Addington Highlands' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 13 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.

What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking

Worth asking

There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.

Worth askingMoney health

Why has the township raised its levy three years in a row while ending each year with money left over and $9.3 million in reserves?

$9,316,499held in reserves and reserve funds on December 31, 2025, after $1,749,355 was added from operations during the year

The levy is the part of the tax bill that pays for the township’s own services. It was $3,457,740 in 2023, then $3,882,082 in 2024, $4,255,730 in 2025 and $4,583,904 in 2026. That is a rise of about 12%, 10% and 8% (our arithmetic). The township finished 2024 and 2025 with a surplus of $889,109 and $1,406,819, and at the end of 2025 it held $9,316,499 in reserves, which are savings for later costs such as roads, buildings and closing landfills. The township’s staff reports say the levy sets money aside for future capital costs, and its 2022 asset plan found a large “infrastructure deficit”, which means a gap between what its roads and buildings need and what it was saving.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 12 sources

Good to know

Good to know

Background that helps make sense of the rest.

Good to knowHow decisions are made

What legal matter has council discussed in private at least eight times since September 2025, and what will it cost?

After each closed meeting, council reports in public what it was about. From September 16, 2025 to June 2, 2026, at least eight regular meetings reported a closed session on “litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”. On September 16, 2025 council also voted to direct staff to “advise the solicitor to negotiate a settlement in a legal matter”. The township has not said, in the documents we read, who the matter involves, what it is about, or what it has cost. The 2025 financial statements say management believes the township has “valid defenses” and insurance cover, and that no amount has been set aside.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 10 sources

Good to knowMoney health

How will the township pay the remaining $4.4 million cost of closing and watching over its landfills?

$4,382,517estimated cost of closing landfills and caring for them afterwards, at December 31, 2025

The township owns seven landfill sites (dumps), and two are closed. Closing a dump and caring for it for 25 years afterwards costs money. The audited statements record $4,382,517 at the end of 2025 as the estimate for that, down from $4,828,535 after $643,702 of closing work was done in 2025. The township set aside $2,767,086 in a waste reserve. Council hired a contractor for $498,958.28 including HST for the Denbigh work, as its engineer recommended.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 8 sources

Good to knowHow decisions are made

Why did the township miss the Province’s July 1, 2025 deadline for its asset management plan, and where is the new plan?

Ontario rules (Regulation 588/17) required every municipality to have, by July 1, 2025, a plan for how it will keep up its roads, buildings and equipment for at least ten years, with targets for service levels. The township’s staff report to the 2026 budget meeting says it “was unable to meet the July 1, 2025 deadline” and that its consultant was helping it to “become compliant as soon as possible”. Council adopted a 2026 plan on August 4, 2026, about 13 months after the deadline. The town’s finance page still links only to the 2022 plan.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Good to knowConflicts of interest

Is the conflict-of-interest registry complete, and why does it not say what each declared interest is?

Council members must declare a conflict of interest and step out of the vote. Since 2019 the clerk has kept a public registry of these. Addington Highlands’ registry lists 11 declarations from January 14, 2020 to September 15, 2026. Six are by Councillor Yanch on items about gravel (aggregate) or farm tax classes. The registry shows date, name and agenda item only. A January 14, 2025 declaration in the minutes is not listed, and one entry is dated on a day when council did not meet.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources

Good to knowRising costs

Why did Addington Highlands' property tax go up 13% in 2024?

+13%town property tax, 2023 to 2024

In 2024, Addington Highlands collected $448K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 13% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 2 of 13 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 11% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 0.8%.

Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 8 sources

Good to knowRising costs

Why did the cost of running the town office grow 58% in 5 years?

+58%running the town office, 2019 to 2024

Addington Highlands spent $769K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.2M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 13 similar towns had faster growth here.

Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 9 sources

Good to knowMoney health

Why are so many property taxes unpaid?

$937Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2024

At the end of 2024, $937K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 12% of everything billed. Only 3 of 13 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $757K.

Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 10 sources

Each question in full

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

Why has the township raised its levy three years in a row while ending each year with money left over and $9.3 million in reserves?

$9,316,499held in reserves and reserve funds on December 31, 2025, after $1,749,355 was added from operations during the year

The levy is the part of the tax bill that pays for the township’s own services. It was $3,457,740 in 2023, then $3,882,082 in 2024, $4,255,730 in 2025 and $4,583,904 in 2026. That is a rise of about 12%, 10% and 8% (our arithmetic). The township finished 2024 and 2025 with a surplus of $889,109 and $1,406,819, and at the end of 2025 it held $9,316,499 in reserves, which are savings for later costs such as roads, buildings and closing landfills. The township’s staff reports say the levy sets money aside for future capital costs, and its 2022 asset plan found a large “infrastructure deficit”, which means a gap between what its roads and buildings need and what it was saving.

Why it matters

The township may be saving for worn-out roads and buildings, and the township’s own 2022 asset plan says about 37% of what it owns was in poor or very poor condition. Its tax base is also thin: the Province lists its property value per household at $205,764, against a median of $294,000 for similar northern and rural towns. But when the levy rises every year and money is left over every year, residents can fairly ask how much of the rise is catching up, how much is higher running costs, and when the saving stops.

It could be because…

  • The 2022 asset plan found a large gap between what roads, bridges and buildings need and what the township was saving, and the levy pays for closing that gap without borrowing. The township owes only $1,629,885.
  • Council cut the first drafts: the 2025 draft levy of $4,493,730 became $4,255,730.
  • Some of each surplus is one-time money. For example, 2025 “user charges” were $496,996 against a budget of $69,200, and the waste budget report says waste revenue “automatically go into reserves”.
  • Costs did rise: wages went up 7.0% in 2024, 4.0% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026, and the township paid $804,912 for OPP policing in 2025.
  • A town with a small tax base and a lot of road has little room to wait and then pay for a big repair all at once.

Questions you could ask

  1. What size of reserves is the township aiming for, and at what point will levy increases come down?
  2. How much of each year’s levy increase is for catching up on roads, bridges and buildings, and how much is for higher running costs such as wages, insurance and policing?
  3. The 2025 results ended $795,170 above the budgeted surplus (our arithmetic). Will council report each year how the extra money was used?
  4. Will the township publish a short, plain-language levy and reserves plan with each budget?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The records that would answer this can be requested: The plan behind the levy and the reserves, with wording you can copy.

The evidence

  1. Schedule A to By-law #0858/2023 shows a township levy (the money raised for the township’s own services, not the County or schools) of $3,457,740 for 2023, at a township tax rate of 0.00657793 for a house or farm.

    Tax rates for 2023 (By-law #0858/2023, Schedule A) · Schedule A: “Sub-total levy” row, Township Levy column; “Residential/Farm (RT)” row, Township Tax Rate

  2. Schedule A to By-law #0922/2024: a township levy of $3,882,082 for 2024 and a township tax rate of 0.00732034 for a house or farm.

    Tax rates for 2024 (By-law #0922/2024, Schedule A) · Schedule A: “Sub-total levy” row, Township Levy column; “Residential/Farm (RT)” row, Township Tax Rate

  3. Schedule A to By-law #0974/2025: a township levy of $4,255,730 for 2025 and a township tax rate of 0.00793503 for a house or farm.

    Tax rates for 2025 (By-law #0974/2025, Schedule A) · Schedule A: “Sub-total levy” row, Township Levy column; “Residential/Farm (RT)” row, Township Tax Rate

  4. Schedule A to By-law #1036/2026: a township levy of $4,583,904 for 2026 and a township tax rate of 0.00845289 for a house or farm.

    Tax rates for 2026 (By-law #1036/2026, Schedule A) · Schedule A: “Sub-total levy” row, Township Levy column; “Residential/Farm (RT)” row, Township Tax Rate

  5. The audited statement of operations shows an annual surplus (money left over after the year’s spending) of $1,406,819 for 2025, against a budget of $611,649, and $889,109 for 2024.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Statement of Operations and Accumulated Municipal Equity, “Annual surplus” row (PDF page 8; printed page 2)

  6. At the end of 2025 the township held cash of $8,429,091, owed $1,629,885 in municipal debt, and had net financial assets (what it owns in cash, investments and amounts owed to it, less what it owes) of $4,840,960.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Statement of Financial Position (PDF page 7; printed page 1)

  7. Reserves and reserve funds (savings set aside for later costs) were $9,316,499 at the end of 2025. During 2025, $1,749,355 was added from operations.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Note 15(a), reserve and reserve fund continuity table, “Total reserves and reserve fund” row, Operations column (PDF page 26; printed page 20)

  8. The first draft of the 2025 budget would have raised the net levy to $4,493,730, a rise of 15.76% and a 14.48% rise in the tax rate.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 20, 2025 · Staff report “Draft 2025 Budget Summary” (PDF page 317 of 321)

  9. Council adopted a smaller net levy: “adopts a net levy in the amount of $4,255,730”, voted 4 to 0 (Resolution #173/2025).

    Regular Meeting minutes, May 6, 2025 · item 8.2, “2025 Consolidated Budget” (PDF page 6)

  10. The first draft of the 2026 budget would have set the net amount to levy at $4,587,907.00 (up 7.81%) and the tax rate up 6.63%. The staff report says the budget “reflects the funds necessary to maintain the current level of service while also setting funds aside for future capital expenditures and infrastructure replacement.”

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 24, 2026 · Staff report “Draft 2026 Budget Summary” (PDF page 289 of 299)

  11. The township’s 2022 Asset Management Plan (by Hemson Consulting) put the replacement value of its roads, buildings and equipment at $146.2 million, and said about 37% ($53.7 million) was in “Poor” to “Very Poor” condition, mostly roads. It showed two ways to close the yearly funding gap; the faster one meant raising yearly capital contributions by about $88,400 a year on top of the $655,000 budgeted in 2022.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 24, 2026 (includes the 2022 Asset Management Plan) · Asset Management Plan, Executive Summary (PDF pages 16 and 18 of 299)

  12. The Province’s grant notice (October 2025) lists the township’s weighted assessment (the value of property taxed, per household) at $205,764, against a median of $294,000 for northern and rural municipalities, and median household income of $57,600 against $82,000.

    Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund notice, 2026, in the Budget Meeting agenda of March 24, 2026 · Northern and Rural Municipal Fiscal Circumstances Index, table B (PDF page 294 of 299)

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

What legal matter has council discussed in private at least eight times since September 2025, and what will it cost?

After each closed meeting, council reports in public what it was about. From September 16, 2025 to June 2, 2026, at least eight regular meetings reported a closed session on “litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”. On September 16, 2025 council also voted to direct staff to “advise the solicitor to negotiate a settlement in a legal matter”. The township has not said, in the documents we read, who the matter involves, what it is about, or what it has cost. The 2025 financial statements say management believes the township has “valid defenses” and insurance cover, and that no amount has been set aside.

Why it matters

Councils may meet in private to discuss lawsuits, and this one reports back each time, as the law asks. Even so, residents pay the legal bills, and a matter that has been on the agenda for most of a year is something they can ask about. For scale, the “recoverable” legal line was $46,936.26 in 2025 against a budget of $10,000.

It could be because…

  • Closed meetings about lawsuits are allowed by the Municipal Act, and council voted in public each time to adopt what came out of them.
  • The matter may be covered by the township’s insurance. The audited statements say management believes insurance coverage is “appropriate and adequate”.
  • Some legal costs are billed on to others (the budget calls one line “recoverable”), so the net cost to taxpayers may be small.
  • Settlement talks are normally private until they finish.

Questions you could ask

  1. When the matter ends, will council report in public what it was about, how it ended and what the township paid, including any amount covered by insurance?
  2. Is the township’s cost so far inside its legal budget, and is an amount set aside if there is a loss?
  3. Which of the legal costs on the “recoverable” line come back to the township, and from whom?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The records that would answer this can be requested: What the township has paid its lawyers, and for what, with wording you can copy.

The evidence

  1. Closed session reported “to receive updates regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; to adopt a recommendation to direct staff to advise the solicitor to negotiate a settlement in a legal matter within the established parameters”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, September 16, 2025 · “Rise and Report” (PDF page 4)

  2. Closed session reported “to receive an update on litigation affecting the municipality”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, November 4, 2025 · “Rise and Report” (PDF page 25)

  3. Closed session reported “to receive an update regarding litigation affecting the municipality”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, February 3, 2026 · “Rise and Report” (PDF pages 16 to 17)

  4. Closed session reported to receive an update “regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, March 3, 2026 · “Rise and Report” (PDF page 14)

  5. Closed session reported “to receive an update regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, March 17, 2026 · “Rise and Report” (PDF page 13)

  6. Closed session reported “to receive an update regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, April 7, 2026 · “Rise and Report” (PDF page 19)

  7. Closed session reported “to receive an update regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, April 21, 2026 · “Rise and Report” (PDF page 13)

  8. Closed session reported “to receive an update regarding litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”.

    Regular Meeting minutes, June 2, 2026 · item 18.1, “Rise and Report” (PDF page 20)

  9. Note 9 says there may be litigation “pending or in prospect at any time”, that “management believes that the Township has valid defenses and appropriate and adequate insurance coverages in place”, and that no amount has been accrued.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Note 9, Contingent liabilities (PDF page 22; printed page 16)

  10. The draft 2026 General Government budget shows a 2025 actual of $46,936.26 on “Legal - Recoverable Expense” (budget $10,000.00), with the note “These expenses are recoverable therefore an offsetting revenue is included in the 2025 budget”.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 24, 2026 · General Government – Operating Only, account 16-1275 (PDF page 112 of 299)

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

How will the township pay the remaining $4.4 million cost of closing and watching over its landfills?

$4,382,517estimated cost of closing landfills and caring for them afterwards, at December 31, 2025

The township owns seven landfill sites (dumps), and two are closed. Closing a dump and caring for it for 25 years afterwards costs money. The audited statements record $4,382,517 at the end of 2025 as the estimate for that, down from $4,828,535 after $643,702 of closing work was done in 2025. The township set aside $2,767,086 in a waste reserve. Council hired a contractor for $498,958.28 including HST for the Denbigh work, as its engineer recommended.

Why it matters

This is the largest bill the township knows is coming. The township has planned for it for years: Denbigh’s closing has been in its budgets since 2021, which is good. But the reserve covers about 63% of the estimate (our arithmetic), the other sites will close at dates the documents we read do not give, and the yearly transfer into the reserve for closing waste sites is $75,000 in the draft 2026 budget.

It could be because…

  • The figure is an estimate, discounted at 5% a year, because the work is many years away. The statements say the landfills have “1-20 years” of life left.
  • The reserve is not the only source: waste fees, grants and the yearly levy contribute, and the closing is spread over years.
  • Closing Denbigh was budgeted at $650,000 and saved for since 2021, and the 2025 budget said it would be paid from reserves, which looks like the plan working.
  • The auditor told council the 2024 change in the estimate was based on an engineer’s report and inflation, so the estimate is revisited each year.

Questions you could ask

  1. When is each of the other landfill sites expected to close, and what does the current estimate say each will cost?
  2. Is $75,000 a year into the closure reserve enough to cover the part of the $4,382,517 that the reserve does not, and by when?
  3. Will the engineer’s report behind the yearly estimate be posted with the audited statements?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The records that would answer this can be requested: What closing the Denbigh landfill cost, and how the $4.4 million was worked out, with wording you can copy.

The evidence

  1. Note 6: “The Township owns and operates seven landfill sites, two of which are closed.” The landfill closure and post-closure obligation was $4,382,517 at the end of 2025 ($4,828,535 in 2024). Settlements during 2025 were $643,702. Costs were discounted at 5% a year, and the landfills have “1-20 years” of life remaining.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Note 6, Asset retirement obligations (PDF page 20; printed page 14)

  2. The “Waste disposals” reserve held $2,767,086 at the end of 2025, after $476,746 was added from operations and $447,143 was moved out under “Other” during the year.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Note 15(a), reserve and reserve fund continuity table, “Waste disposals” row (PDF page 26; printed page 20)

  3. The 2024 budget sheet explains the Denbigh plan: “Total Denbigh Closure of $650,000 includes $575,000 for construction, $30,000 for design and admin, $55,000 for unknown inflation”, with reserve contributions of $150,000 in 2021, $150,000 in 2022, $110,000 in 2023 and $150,000 in 2024.

    Budget Meeting agenda, April 11, 2024 · Environmental Services – Operating Only, “Transfer to Reserve - Waste Site Closure” note (PDF page 301 of 341)

  4. The 2025 staff report says: “Allow $650,000 for closure of Denbigh Waste site. This will be taken from reserves.” It adds that the 77.9% overall increase in the waste budget “would have been 4.8% if not for closing Denbigh waste sites”.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 20, 2025 · Staff report “Environmental Operating Budget 2025” (PDF page 285 of 321)

  5. Council approved “the tender from Hay Bay Sand and Gravel in the amount of $498,958.28 including HST” for the Denbigh landfill remediation, “as per the recommendation from the engineering firm” (Resolution #271/2025).

    Regular Meeting minutes, July 8, 2025 · item 11.1.2, “Denbigh Landfill Remediation Tender” (PDF page 10)

  6. The draft 2026 waste budget keeps a “Transfer to Reserve - Waste Site Closure” of $75,000.00 (2025 actual $75,000.00).

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 24, 2026 · Environmental Services – Operating Only (PDF page 255 of 299)

  7. The auditor’s presentation on the 2024 audit says the landfill obligation changed “based on engineer’s report and inflation of 3.66%”.

    Auditor’s presentation to council (KPMG LLP), in Regular Meeting minutes, May 6, 2025 · slide 11, “Financial Statement Highlights” (PDF page 31)

  8. The township’s notice says the Denbigh Landfill is permanently closed and asks people to use the Vennachar Landfill at 1390 Buckshot Lake Road.

    Public notices · notice “Public Notice – Denbigh Landfill Permanently Closed”

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Why did the township miss the Province’s July 1, 2025 deadline for its asset management plan, and where is the new plan?

Ontario rules (Regulation 588/17) required every municipality to have, by July 1, 2025, a plan for how it will keep up its roads, buildings and equipment for at least ten years, with targets for service levels. The township’s staff report to the 2026 budget meeting says it “was unable to meet the July 1, 2025 deadline” and that its consultant was helping it to “become compliant as soon as possible”. Council adopted a 2026 plan on August 4, 2026, about 13 months after the deadline. The town’s finance page still links only to the 2022 plan.

Why it matters

The asset plan is the main reason the township gives for raising taxes and saving. Residents can only judge that argument if the current plan is public. The township was open about missing the deadline, which is to its credit.

It could be because…

  • The township is small, and its staff report says it enrolled in a provincial program and hired a consultant to meet the deadline.
  • The plan was adopted a year later and the report says the 2022 plan already met the 2024 requirements.
  • The new plan may not yet have been posted, only because it was adopted two months ago.

Questions you could ask

  1. Will the 2026 plan be posted next to the 2022 plan, with a short note on what changed?
  2. The 2022 plan said raising yearly capital contributions by about $88,400 would close the gap by 2041. What does the 2026 plan say the yearly gap is, and how does the levy plan follow it?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The records that would answer this can be requested: The 2026 asset management plan and why it was late, with wording you can copy.

The evidence

  1. The staff report to the 2026 budget meeting says: “The Township is currently enrolled in the Amp It Up 3.0 program and working with Henson in order to meet our 2025 timeline. – this was not completed by the deadline.” It adds: “Unfortunately, we were unable to meet the July 1, 2025 deadline.”

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 24, 2026 · Staff report “Asset Management Progress Report” (PDF pages 11 to 12 of 299)

  2. Council received the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer’s report and adopted “the 2026 Asset Management Plan as prepared by Hemson Consulting Ltd. in accordance with Ontario Regulation 588/17” (Resolution #309/2026, 4 to 0).

    Regular Meeting minutes, August 4, 2026 · item 4.1, “2026 Asset Management Plan Update” (PDF pages 3 to 4)

  3. The folder the finance page links to for the Asset Management Plan holds one file: “Addington Highlands Asset Management Plan 2022”.

    Document Center: Asset Management Plan folder · folder listing, read October 1, 2026

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Is the conflict-of-interest registry complete, and why does it not say what each declared interest is?

Council members must declare a conflict of interest and step out of the vote. Since 2019 the clerk has kept a public registry of these. Addington Highlands’ registry lists 11 declarations from January 14, 2020 to September 15, 2026. Six are by Councillor Yanch on items about gravel (aggregate) or farm tax classes. The registry shows date, name and agenda item only. A January 14, 2025 declaration in the minutes is not listed, and one entry is dated on a day when council did not meet.

Why it matters

Declaring and stepping out is the right thing to do, and the minutes show the members doing it. The registry is how residents can see the pattern, but only if it is complete and says what the interest is. Gravel is a local issue, and a member who has to sit out the vote each time is a fact residents may want explained in general terms.

It could be because…

  • The registry is kept by hand by a small staff, so slips are likely: the missing entry and the date problems look like clerical errors.
  • A member may have a real interest, such as owning land or a business, that the law says only needs to be described in general terms, and that she has handled correctly by declaring each time.
  • Gravel and mining resolutions come to council often from other municipalities, so they will keep coming up.

Questions you could ask

  1. Will the clerk add the January 14, 2025 declaration and check the two dates that look wrong?
  2. Will each entry say, in general terms, what the interest is, as the agenda heading “Disclosure of pecuniary interests and the general nature thereof” suggests?
  3. Does the registry show declarations made by e-mail or in writing before a meeting, as well as those said aloud?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. The registry lists these declarations by Councillor E. Helen Yanch: March 3, 2020 (items 7.3 “Proposed Regulatory Changes under the Aggregate Resources Act” and 7.5), August 4, 2020 (items 7.3 and 7.4, on the farm property class tax rate and assessment of aggregate resource properties), April 5, 2022 (“Resolution regarding Gravel Mining in Ontario”), May 17, 2022 (“New Gravel Extraction Licensing Applications”), June 6, 2023 (a letter from the MNRF about approvals under the Aggregate Resources Act) and September 15, 2026 (“Resolution regarding Aggregate Material”). The columns are Date, Name of Declarant and Agenda Item.

    Conflict of Interest Registry · registry table, read October 1, 2026

  2. Item 8.6, a resolution from the Township of Puslinch about the aggregate industry: “Councillor Yanch declares a pecuniary interest and apologizes for not declaring at the beginning of the meeting.” She abstained from the vote (Resolution #13/2025). This declaration is not on the registry.

    Regular Meeting minutes, January 14, 2025 · item 8.6 (PDF page 9)

  3. Councillor Hook abstained on By-law #0966/2025 to close and sell a shore road allowance (“Hook - Abstains”). The registry lists an entry for a by-law “to Stop, Close and Sell Shore Road Allowance – Hook” on March 18, 2026.

    Regular Meeting minutes, March 18, 2025 · By-law #0966/2025, Resolution #109/2025 (PDF page 12)

  4. At the March 17, 2026 regular meeting, the item “Disclosure of pecuniary interests & the general nature thereof” reads “None noted”. Council did not hold a regular meeting on March 18, 2026.

    Regular Meeting minutes, March 17, 2026 · item 5 (PDF page 3)

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound automatically from financial reports

Why did Addington Highlands' property tax go up 13% in 2024?

+13%town property tax, 2023 to 2024

In 2024, Addington Highlands collected $448K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 13% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 2 of 13 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 11% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 0.8%.

Why did Addington Highlands' property tax go up 13% in 2024?
$4.0M
Show as a table
YearTown property tax
2019$3.0M
2020$3.2M
2021$3.2M
2022$3.4M
2023$3.6M
2024$4.0M

Why it matters

A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $167 more each year.

It could be because…

  • Costs the town cannot control went up, such as policing, insurance or county charges.
  • The town kept taxes too low in earlier years and is catching up.
  • The town is rebuilding savings or paying for a big project like a bridge or equipment.

Questions you could ask

  1. Of the 12% rise in 2024, how much came from higher running costs and how much from having less one-time money to offset the levy?
  2. What levy increase does council expect for 2027 and 2028, and how does it follow from the asset plan?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Town property tax: $3,556,956 in 2023, $4,004,458 in 2024.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy

  2. Typical increase among 13 similar Ontario towns: 6.5%. Addington Highlands ranks 3rd highest.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 13 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy

  3. Residential tax rate (town share): 0.658% in 2023, 0.732% in 2024. Residential assessment: $501M to $505M.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 22, residential (RT) · archived copy

  4. Prices (inflation) rose 2.4% over the same year.

    Statistics Canada CPI, table 18-10-0005-01 · archived copy

  5. The draft 2024 budget summary reports that “the increase in expenses is 4.53%”, that the deferred revenue (grant money held over from last year) used “is 49.74% lower”, and that the net amount to levy is $3,890,282, “an increase of 12.51% over last year”, equal to an 11.52% rise in the tax rate.

    Budget Meeting agenda, April 11, 2024 · Staff report “Draft 2024 Budget Summary” (PDF page 329 of 341)

  6. The levy calculation shows how the rise was built. The net difference to levy went from $5,793,506.00 (2023) to $6,097,639.00 (2024 draft). In 2023 the budget used a $175,000.00 surplus and $107,365.85 from deferred revenue; the 2024 draft used $100,000.00 from reserves and $53,957.00 from deferred revenue. The grant from the Province (OMPF) stayed at $2,053,400.00.

    Budget Meeting agenda, April 11, 2024 · “2024 Budget Summary Levy Calculation” (PDF page 331 of 341)

  7. Council adopted a net levy of $3,882,082 for 2024 (Resolution #210/2024, 4 to 0) and passed the tax-rate by-law the same day.

    Regular Meeting minutes, May 7, 2024 · item 8.2, “2024 Consolidated Budget” (PDF page 5)

  8. The auditor told council in May 2025 that 2024 expenses rose by $600k, or 9%: about $218k was wages and benefits (staff turnover and wage increases) and $310k was materials for projects that were not capital in nature.

    Auditor’s presentation to council (KPMG LLP), in Regular Meeting minutes, May 6, 2025 · slide 12, “Financial Statement Highlights (continued)” (PDF page 32)

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Good to knowFound automatically from financial reports

Why did the cost of running the town office grow 58% in 5 years?

+58%running the town office, 2019 to 2024

Addington Highlands spent $769K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.2M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 13 similar towns had faster growth here.

Why did the cost of running the town office grow 58% in 5 years?
+58%
Show as a table
YearRunning the town officePrices (inflation)
2019+0%+0%
2020+3%+1%
2021+21%+4%
2022+32%+11%
2023+31%+16%
2024+58%+18%

Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.

Why it matters

Money spent running the office is money not spent on roads, water or safety. When office costs grow much faster than the services people see, it is fair to ask what the extra money is buying.

It could be because…

  • The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
  • Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
  • Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
  • Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.

Questions you could ask

  1. What made up the jump of about $209,000 in 2024 (from $1,020,760 to $1,230,055), and how much of it was one-time?
  2. How many positions has the township added since 2019, and what do they cost each year?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Running the town office: 2019 $769K, 2020 $794K, 2021 $927K, 2022 $1.0M, 2023 $1.0M, 2024 $1.2M.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  2. Biggest driver: Office and administration, from $660K to $1.1M.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  3. Typical growth among similar towns: 33%. Addington Highlands ranks 2nd of 14.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 13 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  4. In 2019 the audited statements show general government spending of $773,611 (2018: $753,414).

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2019 · Statement of Operations, “General government” row (PDF page 7)

  5. In 2024 general government spending was $1,230,055 against a budget of $997,450, and $1,020,760 in 2023.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2024 · Statement of Operations, “General government” row (PDF page 8; printed page 2)

  6. In 2025 it was $1,102,079 against a budget of $1,063,555, and $1,230,055 in 2024. The 2025 figure is lower than the 2024 figure.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Statement of Operations, “General government” row (PDF page 8; printed page 2)

  7. The 2024 budget sheet for the general government line says the staff salary account “Includes merit related increases + 7.0% as approved by Council”.

    Budget Meeting agenda, April 11, 2024 · General Government – Operating Only, account 16-1120 (PDF page 118 of 341)

  8. The 2025 staff report says the budget includes a 4% wage increase for staff and council and that “Most of the increases proposed in the budget are related to increases in payroll costs and 2024 actuals.”

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 20, 2025 · Staff report “2025 Draft General Budget” (PDF page 111 of 321)

  9. “Legal - Recoverable Expense” was $70,061.44 in 2024 against a budget of $10,000.00, with the note “These expenses are recoverable therefore an offsetting revenue is included in the 2025 budget”.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 20, 2025 · General Government – Operating Only, account 16-1275 (PDF page 112 of 321)

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Good to knowFound automatically from financial reports

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 171% in 5 years?

+171%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2024

Addington Highlands spent $265K on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $718K in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 171% in 5 years?
+171%
Show as a table
YearWater, sewers and garbagePrices (inflation)
2019+0%+0%
2020+78%+1%
2021+82%+4%
2022+378%+11%
2023+621%+16%
2024+171%+18%

Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.

Why it matters

When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.

It could be because…

  • The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
  • Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
  • Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
  • Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.

Questions you could ask

  1. Now that Denbigh is closed, what does the township expect the yearly cost of waste to be?
  2. How much of the yearly cost is cash spent on running the dumps, and how much is the accounting entry for closing costs?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $265K, 2020 $471K, 2021 $483K, 2022 $1.3M, 2023 $1.9M, 2024 $718K.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  2. Biggest driver: The dump (landfill), from $71,396 to $327K.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  3. This township has no water or sewer service. The statements say Environmental Services “includes the management and maintenance of the solid waste and recycling services”, so this line is garbage, recycling and landfills.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Note 17(d), Segmented information (PDF page 29; printed page 23)

  4. Environmental services spending was $474,900 in 2019, and $772,612 in 2018. The 2019 starting point was unusually low.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2019 · Statement of Operations, “Environmental services” row (PDF page 7)

  5. Environmental services spending was $736,341 in 2022, with a “Change in landfill obligation” of (752,372) shown below the line.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2022 · Statement of Operations, “Environmental services” and “Change in landfill obligation” rows (PDF page 8; printed page 2)

  6. Environmental services spending was $843,361 in 2024 and $689,183 in 2023. Below the line, the statement shows a change in asset retirement obligations (the landfill closing estimate) of (94,055) in 2024 and (1,352,447) in 2023.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2024 · Statement of Operations, “Environmental services” and “Change in asset retirement obligations” rows (PDF page 8; printed page 2)

  7. The Province’s return for 2023 shows $1,352,447 in the “rents and financial” column of the waste diversion line. This is the same amount as the landfill closing-cost change in the audited statements, so it is an accounting entry for a future cost and not cash spent on garbage that year.

    Financial Information Return, 2019 to 2024 (as built into this site) · Schedule 40, line 0860 (waste diversion), “rents and financial”, 2023 · archived copy

  8. The 2024 waste budget report notes a new consultant, a wage increase of 8% over 2023 actuals that included a temporary person, and “Bag Tags are now being used as opposed to LOGO bags”. It also sets aside $110,000 a year for closing waste sites: “Total Denbigh Closure of $650,000”.

    Budget Meeting agenda, April 11, 2024 · Staff report and sheet “Environmental Services – Operating Only” (PDF pages 299 and 301 of 341)

  9. 2024 spending on unlicensed vehicles was $52,739.96 against a budget of $15,000.00, explained as “Heavy repairs on compactor in 2024 which shouldn’t happen in 2025”.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 20, 2025 · Environmental Services – Operating Only, account 16-4625 (PDF page 287 of 321)

  10. Environmental services spending fell to $594,581 in 2025 (budget $893,749), because the $643,702 of landfill closing work was charged against the closing-cost obligation rather than to spending.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Statement of Operations (PDF page 8) and Note 6 (PDF page 20)

  11. The 2026 waste staff report says the budget has a “-39% overall decrease” and “would have been 5.4% increase if not for closing Denbigh waste site in 2025”.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 24, 2026 · Staff report “Environmental Operating Budget 2026” (PDF page 253 of 299)

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Good to knowFound automatically from financial reports

Why are so many property taxes unpaid?

$937Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2024

At the end of 2024, $937K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 12% of everything billed. Only 3 of 13 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $757K.

Why are so many property taxes unpaid?
$937K
Show as a table
YearUnpaid property tax at year end
2019$1.1M
2020$1.1M
2021$849K
2022$701K
2023$757K
2024$937K

Why it matters

When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.

It could be because…

  • The final tax bill was due late in the year, so some payments simply arrived in January.
  • A few large properties are in dispute or being sold for back taxes.
  • Hard times for residents, which the town may be handling with payment plans.

Questions you could ask

  1. How many properties were in the tax-sale process at the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025, and how much of the unpaid balance do they hold?
  2. How much did the township spend on tax-sale legal costs, and how much came back from sales or was added to the tax bills?
  3. Does the unpaid balance include the County and school shares, which the township collects for others?

You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.

Speak for Addington Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The records that would answer this can be requested: Tax sales: how many, how much owed, what it cost, with wording you can copy.

The evidence

  1. Taxes receivable: 2019 $1.1M, 2020 $1.1M, 2021 $849K, 2022 $701K, 2023 $757K, 2024 $937K. Of the 2024 total, $311K was from earlier years.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy

  2. Typical among similar towns: 9.3% of taxes billed.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 13 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy

  3. Taxes receivable (taxes billed and not yet paid) were $700,692 at the end of 2022.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2022 · Statement of Financial Position (PDF page 7)

  4. Taxes receivable were $757,152 at the end of 2023.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2023 · Statement of Financial Position (PDF page 7)

  5. Taxes receivable were $927,372 at the end of 2025 and $937,029 at the end of 2024. Property taxation revenue was $4,368,243 in 2025. Dividing the two gives about 21% (our arithmetic).

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Statement of Financial Position (PDF page 7) and Statement of Operations (PDF page 8)

  6. “Penalties and interest” charged on late taxes brought in $144,898 in 2025 and $127,712 in 2024.

    Consolidated Financial Statements, 2025 · Note 17, Segmented information, “Penalties and interest” row (PDF pages 31 and 32; printed pages 25 and 26)

  7. The auditor’s presentation on the 2023 audit says: “Taxes receivable increase due to more tax sales in process – taxes receivable as a % of levy = 21%”.

    Auditor’s presentation to council (KPMG LLP), in Regular Meeting minutes, May 21, 2024 · slide 12, “Other findings and results (continued)” (PDF page 28)

  8. The auditor’s presentation on the 2024 audit says: “Taxes receivable continue to increase – taxes receivable as a % of levy = 23%. More tax sales in process vs. prior year.”

    Auditor’s presentation to council (KPMG LLP), in Regular Meeting minutes, May 6, 2025 · slide 11, “Financial Statement Highlights” (PDF page 31)

  9. The list of bills paid on June 5, 2025 shows $211,516.65 paid to the law firm Cowle Law across six lines marked “Tax Sale”.

    List of bills paid, in Regular Meeting minutes, June 17, 2025 · Accounts pay list, cheque 31631 (PDF page 29)

  10. The township’s share of taxes written off as uncollectable was $27,903.16 in 2025 against a budget of $30,000.00.

    Budget Meeting agenda, March 24, 2026 · General Government – Operating Only, account 16-1330 (PDF page 112 of 299)

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