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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Alfred and Plantagenet'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 Alfred and Plantagenet's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 90 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.
$2,800,000land sales counted in the posted 2026 budget (Development), up from $230,000 in the 2025 budget
The Development department's 2026 budget lists "Sale of Land" as income of $2,800,000, and an equal $2,800,000 of spending on the Conception Industrial Park. The 2025 budget counted $230,000 of land sales and $420,000 under Administration; the 2024 budget counted $1,226,865 in Development and $420,000 in Administration. The cash flow statement shows the Township received $34,994 from selling tangible capital assets in 2025 and $49,843 in 2024. Land that a town holds to resell may not be counted as a capital asset, so this is not a proof that no land was sold. We did not find where the sales are reported.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$2,025,000for the Alfred fire hall in the posted 2026 budget, with a loan of the same size counted as income
The line "Fire - Capital expenditures - Caserne Alfred" (caserne is French for fire hall) was $100,000 in the 2024 budget, $1,000,000 in the 2025 budget and $2,025,000 in the posted 2026 budget. The 2025 budget counted a $1,000,000 loan ("Fire - Debenture / Loan") to pay for it; the 2026 budget counts $2,025,000. The audited statements show the Township's debts went down in 2025, from $3,708,099 to $3,568,534, so a loan of that size was not taken out in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$102,856for Roads "Group Benefits" in the posted 2026 budget, against $45,930 in 2025
Group benefits are the health, dental and similar plans an employer pays for staff. In the posted 2026 budget the "Group Benefits" line goes from $45,930 to $102,856 in Roads, from $31,703 to $79,001 in Administration, from $9,112 to $19,108 in Recreation, from $6,924 to $14,885 in By-law and from $4,756 to $9,968 in Planning. The pension (OMERS) lines in the same departments rise by about a tenth. We did not find the Township's explanation in the budget pages we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 6 sources
$16,851left in the Sewers reserve at December 31, 2025, down from $238,538
Schedule 2 shows the "Sewers" reserve at $16,851 at the end of 2025, down from $238,538. In the operating section of the same schedule, the line "for increase of fees from water and sewer users" is a negative (232,208), against (302,954) a year earlier. The long-term sewer reserve fund grew from $4,700,703 to $5,290,787. The statements do not explain the lines.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Alfred and Plantagenet spent $1.3M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 13 of 90 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$18,024,074actual 2025 expenses, against a budget of $15,684,039; amortization of $2,444,822 was not budgeted
The statement of operations compares each year's budget with the actual result. For 2025, expenses were $18,024,074 against a budget of $15,684,039. The statements explain most of the gap: Schedule 4 shows amortization (the yearly cost of using up buildings, roads and equipment) budgeted at "-" and actual at $2,444,822, and Note 13 says the budget is the operating budget and does not cover activity within reserves. Taking amortization out, the difference is small and goes the other way: about $105,000 under budget (worked out by us, 15,579,252 against 15,684,039). The largest department gaps are Environmental services and Transportation services.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,167,245unfinanced internal loan at December 31, 2025, up from $925,240
Schedule 2 of the statements lists an "Unfinanced internal loan" of $1,167,245 at the end of 2025, up from $925,240 a year earlier. We read this as money the Township's funds have lent to projects, to be paid back later, but the statements do not define it. The 2026 budget has "internal loan" payment lines in Administration, Fire, Roads and Recreation. Over the same year the reserves and reserve funds grew from $12,099,140 to $13,597,222.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
June 16, 2025date printed on the auditor's report for the year ended December 31, 2025
The 2025 statements cover the year ended December 31, 2025, yet the auditor's report is dated "June 16, 2025". The page that the Mayor and Treasurer approved carries a signing stamp of "18/06/2026" (June 18, 2026). The 2024 statements carry the auditor's date "July 15, 2025". The debt repayment table in Note 6 lists the year 2027 twice. The auditor's wording says it includes "our qualified opinion" while the opinion itself says the statements "present fairly". These look like typing slips, but they are in a signed audited document.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
Alfred and Plantagenet spent about $281 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2024. The typical similar town spent $150. Only 12 of 90 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$2,800,000land sales counted in the posted 2026 budget (Development), up from $230,000 in the 2025 budget
The Development department's 2026 budget lists "Sale of Land" as income of $2,800,000, and an equal $2,800,000 of spending on the Conception Industrial Park. The 2025 budget counted $230,000 of land sales and $420,000 under Administration; the 2024 budget counted $1,226,865 in Development and $420,000 in Administration. The cash flow statement shows the Township received $34,994 from selling tangible capital assets in 2025 and $49,843 in 2024. Land that a town holds to resell may not be counted as a capital asset, so this is not a proof that no land was sold. We did not find where the sales are reported.
Why it matters
When a budget counts on money from selling land, that money pays for spending in the same year. If the sale does not close, the Township has to find the money elsewhere, borrow, or delay the work. Residents can ask which land, who is buying it, and what the price is based on.
It could be because…
The land in the industrial park may be held for resale and not counted as a tangible capital asset, so its sales would not show on the cash flow line we quote.
The 2026 sale may be under agreement, and the budget may simply show it in the year the money is due.
Earlier sales may have happened but been reported on a different line, such as "Other" revenue.
The land spending and the land income are equal in each year, so the work may only go ahead when a sale closes.
Questions you could ask
Which land is counted in the $2,800,000, and is there a signed agreement of purchase and sale?
Where in the 2024 and 2025 statements were the budgeted land sales reported, and did they happen?
If a sale does not close in 2026, what happens to the $2,800,000 of industrial park spending?
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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
2026 budget, Department 82 Development: "Development - Sale of Land" (account 1-3-8210-0644), 2025 budget (230,000), 2026 budget (2,800,000). "Development - Capital Expense - Conception Industrial Par[k]" (account 1-4-8218-8001), 2025 budget 230,000, 2026 budget 2,800,000.
2026 Budget · PDF page 32, Department 82 Development
2026 budget, Department 13 Administration: "Admin. - Sale of Land" (account 1-3-1310-0644), 2025 budget (420,000), 2026 budget "-". "Admin. - Transfer to Reserve - Capital" (account 1-4-1318-8100), 2025 budget 420,000, 2026 budget "-".
2026 Budget · PDF pages 3 and 4, Department 13 Administration
2025 budget, Department 82 Development: "Development - Sale of Land" (account 1-3-8210-0644), 2024 budget (1,226,865), 2025 budget (230,000).
2025 Budget · PDF page 31, Department 82 Development
2025 budget, Department 13 Administration: "Admin. - Sale of Land" (account 1-3-1310-0644), 2024 budget (420,000), 2025 budget (420,000).
2025 Budget · PDF page 2, Department 13 Administration
Consolidated statement of cash flow: "Proceeds from sale of tangible capital assets" 34,994 (2025) and 49,843 (2024).
$2,025,000for the Alfred fire hall in the posted 2026 budget, with a loan of the same size counted as income
The line "Fire - Capital expenditures - Caserne Alfred" (caserne is French for fire hall) was $100,000 in the 2024 budget, $1,000,000 in the 2025 budget and $2,025,000 in the posted 2026 budget. The 2025 budget counted a $1,000,000 loan ("Fire - Debenture / Loan") to pay for it; the 2026 budget counts $2,025,000. The audited statements show the Township's debts went down in 2025, from $3,708,099 to $3,568,534, so a loan of that size was not taken out in 2025.
Why it matters
A new fire hall is a large cost. A loan is paid back with interest from future taxes and fees. Residents can ask what the project will cost in total, when it will be built, and how much of the cost will fall on the tax levy.
It could be because…
The project may have been delayed in 2025, so the loan was not needed until now.
The price may have risen as design work finished, or the budget may have been first set as a placeholder.
The $2,025,000 may include more than the 2025 amount carried forward, such as equipment or site work.
Grants or development charges may pay part of the cost; we did not find a statement saying so.
Questions you could ask
What is the total expected cost of the Alfred fire hall, and when will it be built?
Why was the $1,000,000 loan counted in the 2025 budget not taken out in 2025?
How much will the yearly loan payments add to the tax levy once the hall is built?
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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
2025 budget, Department 21 Fire: "Fire - Capital expenditures - Caserne Alfred" (account 1-4-2118-8001), 2024 budget 100,000, 2025 budget 1,000,000.
2025 Budget · PDF page 5, Department 21 Fire Department
2026 Budget · PDF pages 5 and 6, Department 21 Fire Department
Note 6, Debts: "Debts incurred by the Municipality with interest between 2.16% and 4.53%, maturing between 2026 and 2037" 3,568,534 (2025) and 3,708,099 (2024).
$102,856for Roads "Group Benefits" in the posted 2026 budget, against $45,930 in 2025
Group benefits are the health, dental and similar plans an employer pays for staff. In the posted 2026 budget the "Group Benefits" line goes from $45,930 to $102,856 in Roads, from $31,703 to $79,001 in Administration, from $9,112 to $19,108 in Recreation, from $6,924 to $14,885 in By-law and from $4,756 to $9,968 in Planning. The pension (OMERS) lines in the same departments rise by about a tenth. We did not find the Township's explanation in the budget pages we read.
Why it matters
Staff costs are the biggest part of a township budget, and a doubling across departments points to something that applies to everyone, like a new plan or a coding change. Residents can ask whether it is a real cost increase or a change in how the cost is spread.
It could be because…
The Township may have changed its benefits provider or plan, or premiums may have gone up sharply.
Costs that used to be booked elsewhere (for example, one central line) may now be spread across departments, so the total would not change.
The 2025 budget lines may have been set too low. In 2025 the statements show salaries, wages and benefits came in under budget.
Questions you could ask
What caused the Group Benefits lines to roughly double for 2026?
Is the total cost of staff benefits going up by that much, or is it being spread differently across departments?
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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
2026 budget, Department 30 Roads: "Roads - Group Benefits" (account 1-4-3111-1260), 2025 budget 45,930, 2026 budget 102,856. "Roads - OMERS" (account 1-4-3111-1250), 104,648 and 125,101.
Schedule 4, Consolidated statement of expenses by object: "Salaries, wages and benefits" 2025 budget 5,816,612, 2025 actual 5,602,799, 2024 actual 5,251,359.
$16,851left in the Sewers reserve at December 31, 2025, down from $238,538
Schedule 2 shows the "Sewers" reserve at $16,851 at the end of 2025, down from $238,538. In the operating section of the same schedule, the line "for increase of fees from water and sewer users" is a negative (232,208), against (302,954) a year earlier. The long-term sewer reserve fund grew from $4,700,703 to $5,290,787. The statements do not explain the lines.
Why it matters
Water and sewer service is paid for by the users who are connected, not by general taxes. A negative balance suggests costs were covered before fees came in. Residents on the system can ask whether the fees are on track to cover the cost, and whether the sewer reserve is being used up.
It could be because…
The Township may be phasing in fee increases over several years and carrying a planned shortfall in the meantime.
The money may have moved from the working reserve into the sewer capital reserve fund, which grew by the amount shown.
The shortfall shrank in 2025 compared with 2024, which is the direction a fee plan would aim for.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan for sewer fees over the next three years, and does it clear the shortfall?
Why did the Sewers working reserve fall by about $222,000 in one 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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Schedule 2: reserves, "Sewers" 16,851 (2025) and 238,538 (2024). Operating: "for increase of fees from water and sewer users" (232,208) and (302,954); "for decrease (increase) of user charges of sewers" 79,782 and (46,296). Reserve funds, future capital expenses, "Sewers" 5,290,787 and 4,700,703.
Schedule 3, Consolidated statement of change in reserves and reserve funds: "User fees" 549,240 (2025) and 690,016 (2024); "Net transfers to operating" 645,646 and 858,026.
Alfred and Plantagenet spent $1.3M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 13 of 90 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of parks, arena and library grow 74% in 5 years?
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%
+74%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+14%
+1%
2021
+14%
+4%
2022
+41%
+11%
2023
+36%
+16%
2024
+74%
+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
What did the extra $982K a year pay for?
Why did arena and buildings go from $716K to $1.6M?
Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly 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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$18,024,074actual 2025 expenses, against a budget of $15,684,039; amortization of $2,444,822 was not budgeted
The statement of operations compares each year's budget with the actual result. For 2025, expenses were $18,024,074 against a budget of $15,684,039. The statements explain most of the gap: Schedule 4 shows amortization (the yearly cost of using up buildings, roads and equipment) budgeted at "-" and actual at $2,444,822, and Note 13 says the budget is the operating budget and does not cover activity within reserves. Taking amortization out, the difference is small and goes the other way: about $105,000 under budget (worked out by us, 15,579,252 against 15,684,039). The largest department gaps are Environmental services and Transportation services.
Why it matters
A reader who compares the two numbers without the note would think spending ran far over budget. The Township has explained it, so this is context and not a concern. It also shows the statements cannot be compared with the budget line for line.
It could be because…
Amortization is a bookkeeping cost, not cash spent in the year, so it is normally left out of a municipal operating budget.
The Township's budget is built on a cash basis for operations and capital, while the statements use the full accrual basis.
Questions you could ask
Would the Township post a short table each year that puts the budget and the statements on the same basis?
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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule 4: "Amortization of tangible capital assets" 2025 budget "-", 2025 actual 2,444,822, 2024 actual 2,575,881. "Increase of the liability of ARO" 2025 budget "-", 2025 actual 20,442.
Note 13, Budget amounts: "The initial operating budget approved by the Municipality is reflected on the consolidated statement of operations." and "the Municipality does not budget activity within reserves and reserve funds".
$1,167,245unfinanced internal loan at December 31, 2025, up from $925,240
Schedule 2 of the statements lists an "Unfinanced internal loan" of $1,167,245 at the end of 2025, up from $925,240 a year earlier. We read this as money the Township's funds have lent to projects, to be paid back later, but the statements do not define it. The 2026 budget has "internal loan" payment lines in Administration, Fire, Roads and Recreation. Over the same year the reserves and reserve funds grew from $12,099,140 to $13,597,222.
Why it matters
Lending to yourself is cheaper than borrowing from a bank, but it means some reserve money is not available as cash until it is repaid. Residents can ask how large the total is, which projects it paid for, and when it ends.
It could be because…
Internal loans are a normal way for a township to pay for roads or buildings now and pay itself back over years, and they carry interest back to the reserves.
The balance grew because 2025 capital work was larger than the money set aside for it, which the 2025 statements show with $3,518,420 of purchases.
Questions you could ask
Which projects make up the $1,167,245, and what is the repayment schedule?
What interest rate do the reserves charge on internal loans?
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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Schedule 2, Consolidated accumulated surplus: "Unfinanced internal loan" (1,167,245) in 2025 and (925,240) in 2024. Reserves and reserve funds total 13,597,222 (2025) and 12,099,140 (2024).
June 16, 2025date printed on the auditor's report for the year ended December 31, 2025
The 2025 statements cover the year ended December 31, 2025, yet the auditor's report is dated "June 16, 2025". The page that the Mayor and Treasurer approved carries a signing stamp of "18/06/2026" (June 18, 2026). The 2024 statements carry the auditor's date "July 15, 2025". The debt repayment table in Note 6 lists the year 2027 twice. The auditor's wording says it includes "our qualified opinion" while the opinion itself says the statements "present fairly". These look like typing slips, but they are in a signed audited document.
Why it matters
The auditor's report date tells readers up to when the audit looked for events. A date before the year-end cannot be right. The Township can correct a small slip with a reissued page.
It could be because…
A typing slip: the report was probably dated June 16, 2026, two days before the June 18, 2026 signing stamp.
The standard report wording was reused from a template, which would explain the word "qualified".
Questions you could ask
Will the Township ask the auditor to confirm the correct report date and repost the page?
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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Auditor's report, signature block: "Hawkesbury ON Chartered Professional Accountants June 16, 2025 Licensed Public Accountants". The opinion on the first page says "present fairly, in all material respects"; the later section says "to issue an auditor's report that includes our qualified opinion".
Statement of financial position, approval block: "Signé avec ConsignO Cloud (18/06/2026)" ["Signed with ConsignO Cloud (June 18, 2026)"] beside the Mayor and the Treasurer.
Alfred and Plantagenet spent about $281 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2024. The typical similar town spent $150. Only 12 of 90 similar towns spent more.
Why it matters
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
It could be because…
Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
A one-time cost in this year.
Questions you could ask
What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
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 Alfred and Plantagenet?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Garbage, dump and recycling per home: Alfred and Plantagenet $281; typical similar town $150; ranked 13th highest of 91.
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