Questions · 8 so far
We read Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 73 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+53%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh spent $1.9M on roads and snow in 2019 and $2.9M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 7 of 73 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$767,468spent on snowplowing in 2025, against $394,722 in 2024 and a 2025 budget of $616,500
The Township's budget books show snowplowing spending of $394,722 in 2024 and $767,468 in 2025. The 2025 figure was $150,968 over what council budgeted for that year, and the 2026 budget is $760,000, so the higher level has been built into the new budget. Sanding and salting rose the same way, from $118,658 to $227,780. Most of the rise is in hired equipment and in wages. Both differences are worked out by us.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$67,709spent on planning legal fees in 2025, against a budget of $40,000
In the budget books, the Legal line under Roads Administration was $5,332 in 2024 and $36,654 in 2025, against a $25,000 budget. The 2026 budget raises it to $40,000. The Legal line under Development & Planning Administration was $8,027 in 2024 and $67,709 in 2025, against a $40,000 budget, and the 2026 budget is $50,000. We did not find a published explanation.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$670,889to be taken from the general surplus reserve to balance the 2026 budget
A reserve is money set aside in earlier years. The 2026 budget covers its gap after a 5% levy increase by taking $670,889 from the general surplus reserve. The 2025 budget planned a $463,500 draw from the same reserve, but the 2026 budget book shows nothing was taken in 2025. Across the whole 2026 budget, $3,613,389 (22%) of the money comes from transfers out of reserves.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$2,845,765shown as actual for Phase 1A, against a $2,690,000 budget
The roads capital budget carries Port Albert servicing work in three phases. Phase 1A (Wellington Street) was budgeted at $2,690,000 for 2025 and shows $2,845,765 actual, which is $155,765 more (worked out by us). Phase 1B was budgeted at $1,060,000 and shows $912,707. Phase 1C was budgeted at $1,480,000 and shows $883,652, with $283,428 and $416,572 more in 2026. The budget book does not give a total cost for the project or say how much each phase was expected to cost at the start.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$750,700from the K2 Community Benefits Fund in the 2026 general revenues
The Township's general revenues include $750,700 a year from the K2 Community Benefits Fund in the 2026 budget. The fund is also named in the roads capital budget ($700,000 for Market and Sydenham, $217,500 more) and the 2026 changes list a $469,000 transfer from a K2 reserve fund. We could not read the K2 agreement, because the copy on the Township's site is a scanned image with no readable text, so we do not know how long the payments last.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$5,635,908of unfunded capital projects in process at the end of 2024, against $2,986,505 a year earlier
The 2024 audited statements show an "Unfunded" amount for capital projects in process of $5,635,908, up from $2,986,505 a year earlier. It is a negative part of the accumulated surplus: the Township had spent that much on projects that were not yet matched by money in hand. In the same year, cash that was free to spend (unrestricted) fell from $5,350,919 to $3,848,904.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$4,271,988actual transportation spending in 2024, against a budget column figure of $3,147,026
In the audited 2024 statement of operations, transportation services were budgeted at $3,147,026 and came in at $4,271,988. The same statement, and the statement of changes in net financial assets, show no budget at all for amortization (the yearly wearing-out cost of roads, buildings and equipment), while actual amortization was $1,743,097. So most of the gap looks like a difference in how the budget column is built rather than overspending, but the statements do not say so. The 36% is worked out by us.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+53%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh spent $1.9M on roads and snow in 2019 and $2.9M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 7 of 73 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −1% | +1% |
| 2021 | +6% | +4% |
| 2022 | +36% | +11% |
| 2023 | +34% | +16% |
| 2024 | +53% | +18% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $1.9M, 2020 $1.9M, 2021 $2.0M, 2022 $2.6M, 2023 $2.6M, 2024 $2.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Gravel roads, from $1.0M to $1.7M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 28%. Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh ranks 8th of 74.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 73 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$767,468spent on snowplowing in 2025, against $394,722 in 2024 and a 2025 budget of $616,500
The Township's budget books show snowplowing spending of $394,722 in 2024 and $767,468 in 2025. The 2025 figure was $150,968 over what council budgeted for that year, and the 2026 budget is $760,000, so the higher level has been built into the new budget. Sanding and salting rose the same way, from $118,658 to $227,780. Most of the rise is in hired equipment and in wages. Both differences are worked out by us.
Public works is the largest department in the Township budget. A cost that doubles in a year and is then budgeted at that new level is paying for something lasting, or it is a bad winter that has been treated as normal.
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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2025 budget book shows Snowplowing: Total Expense of 497,000 budgeted for 2024, 394,722 actual for 2024, and 616,500 budgeted for 2025. Sanding & Salting: Total Expense 135,300 budgeted for 2024, 118,658 actual for 2024, and 159,000 budgeted for 2025.
2025 Township Budget · page 12, Snowplowing and Sanding & Salting
The 2026 budget book shows Snowplowing: Total Expense of 616,500 budgeted for 2025, 767,468 actual for 2025, and 760,000 budgeted for 2026. The Equipment Rentals line is 270,000 budgeted, 403,301 actual and 400,000 for 2026. Sanding & Salting: Total Expense 159,000 budgeted, 227,780 actual, 243,600 for 2026.
2026 Township Budget · page 13, Snowplowing and Sanding & Salting
$67,709spent on planning legal fees in 2025, against a budget of $40,000
In the budget books, the Legal line under Roads Administration was $5,332 in 2024 and $36,654 in 2025, against a $25,000 budget. The 2026 budget raises it to $40,000. The Legal line under Development & Planning Administration was $8,027 in 2024 and $67,709 in 2025, against a $40,000 budget, and the 2026 budget is $50,000. We did not find a published explanation.
Legal fees are a way councils buy advice on disputes, agreements and land matters. A line that runs well over budget is worth a plain explanation, as long as that does not require telling the public things that must stay private.
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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2025 budget book, Roads Administration, shows Legal: 25,000 budgeted for 2024, 5,332 actual for 2024, 25,000 budgeted for 2025.
2025 Township Budget · page 11, Roads Administration, Legal
The 2025 budget book, Development & Planning Administration, shows Legal: 40,000 budgeted for 2024, 8,027 actual for 2024, 40,000 budgeted for 2025.
2025 Township Budget · page 32, Development & Planning Administration, Legal
The 2026 budget book, Roads Administration, shows Legal: 25,000 budgeted for 2025, 36,654 actual for 2025, 40,000 budgeted for 2026.
2026 Township Budget · page 8, Roads Administration, Legal
The 2026 budget book, Development & Planning Administration, shows Legal: 40,000 budgeted for 2025, 67,709 actual for 2025, 50,000 budgeted for 2026.
2026 Township Budget · page 35, Development & Planning Administration, Legal
$670,889to be taken from the general surplus reserve to balance the 2026 budget
A reserve is money set aside in earlier years. The 2026 budget covers its gap after a 5% levy increase by taking $670,889 from the general surplus reserve. The 2025 budget planned a $463,500 draw from the same reserve, but the 2026 budget book shows nothing was taken in 2025. Across the whole 2026 budget, $3,613,389 (22%) of the money comes from transfers out of reserves.
Paying yearly costs from savings works for a year or two, but it cannot repeat forever. A bigger draw each year means a bigger tax increase later unless costs fall or other money arrives.
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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2026 budget highlights say: "Council directed that the remaining budget shortfall after applying a 5% levy increase be funded by transfer of $670,889 from the general surplus reserve." They also say council agreed to a 3.8% tax rate increase over the 2025 tax rate, raising an additional $345,667 for Township purposes.
2026 Budget Highlights (March 2026) · page 3, Changes to the 2026 Draft Budget
The 2026 budget highlights list where 2026 revenue comes from, including Transfers from Reserves $3,613,389 and Tax Revenue $7,301,336, and show Transfer from Reserve at 22% of revenue.
2026 Budget Highlights (March 2026) · page 5, Budget Summary, 2026 Budget - Revenue
The 2026 budget book, General Revenues, shows Transfer from General Surplus Reserve: (463,500) budgeted for 2025, a dash (nothing) for 2025 actual, and (670,889) budgeted for 2026. The book's last page shows Total (Surplus)/Deficit for 2025 actual of (148,149).
2026 Township Budget · page 1, General Revenues; page 41, Total (Surplus)/Deficit
$2,845,765shown as actual for Phase 1A, against a $2,690,000 budget
The roads capital budget carries Port Albert servicing work in three phases. Phase 1A (Wellington Street) was budgeted at $2,690,000 for 2025 and shows $2,845,765 actual, which is $155,765 more (worked out by us). Phase 1B was budgeted at $1,060,000 and shows $912,707. Phase 1C was budgeted at $1,480,000 and shows $883,652, with $283,428 and $416,572 more in 2026. The budget book does not give a total cost for the project or say how much each phase was expected to cost at the start.
This is the largest single capital project in the budget book. Residents are asked to pay part of it through local improvement charges, so they have a reason to know the total and who pays what.
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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2026 budget book, Roads Capital expenses under Port Albert Servicing, shows: Phase 1A - Wellington Street, Victoria St Drain (2023-2024) 2,690,000 budgeted for 2025 and 2,845,765 actual; Phase 1B - Ashfield Street (2024-2025) 1,060,000 and 912,707; Phase 1C - Market and Sydenham Street Construction - Carryforward 2025 1,480,000 and 883,652, then 283,428 for 2026; and Phase 1C (ACW Share of 2025 Work) 416,572 for 2026.
2026 Township Budget · page 19, Roads Capital, Port Albert Servicing
The same book's Roads Capital revenue shows: PHASE 1C - Est. Resident Share of Costs (By-Law 46-2025) (481,000) budgeted and (467,080) actual for 2025; and K2 Community Benefits Fund - Wellington Street (1,652,500) budgeted and (1,652,500) actual for 2025.
2026 Township Budget · page 18, Roads Capital revenue
$750,700from the K2 Community Benefits Fund in the 2026 general revenues
The Township's general revenues include $750,700 a year from the K2 Community Benefits Fund in the 2026 budget. The fund is also named in the roads capital budget ($700,000 for Market and Sydenham, $217,500 more) and the 2026 changes list a $469,000 transfer from a K2 reserve fund. We could not read the K2 agreement, because the copy on the Township's site is a scanned image with no readable text, so we do not know how long the payments last.
Money that arrives each year pays for ordinary services and for big projects. If it ended or fell, the Township would have to raise taxes, cut services or borrow to replace 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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2026 budget book, General Revenues, shows K2 Community Benefits Fund: (746,850) budgeted for 2025, (746,849) actual for 2025, and (750,700) budgeted for 2026.
2026 Township Budget · page 1, General Revenues
The 2026 budget book, Roads Capital revenue, shows K2 Community Benefits Fund - Market and Sydenham (700,000) for 2026, and K2 Community Benefits Fund (217,500) for 2026.
2026 Township Budget · page 18, Roads Capital revenue
The 2026 budget highlights list changes made in budget talks, including "Transfer from K2 Community Benefits Reserve Fund - $469,000".
2026 Budget Highlights (March 2026) · page 3, Changes to the 2026 Draft Budget
$5,635,908of unfunded capital projects in process at the end of 2024, against $2,986,505 a year earlier
The 2024 audited statements show an "Unfunded" amount for capital projects in process of $5,635,908, up from $2,986,505 a year earlier. It is a negative part of the accumulated surplus: the Township had spent that much on projects that were not yet matched by money in hand. In the same year, cash that was free to spend (unrestricted) fell from $5,350,919 to $3,848,904.
Spending first and being paid back later is normal when a grant, a loan or a resident charge has been promised, but if the money does not arrive the Township would have to cover the gap itself.
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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 11, Schedule of accumulated surplus, shows: Unfunded - Capital projects in process (5,635,908) for 2024 and (2,986,505) for 2023; Asset retirement obligations (1,849,515) and (1,852,055); Reserves 13,123,315 and 10,801,045.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · page 13, Note 11 Schedule of accumulated surplus
Note 4, Cash, shows Unrestricted 3,848,904 for 2024 and 5,350,919 for 2023, and Restricted 4,570,535 and 3,229,996.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · page 12, Note 4 Cash
$4,271,988actual transportation spending in 2024, against a budget column figure of $3,147,026
In the audited 2024 statement of operations, transportation services were budgeted at $3,147,026 and came in at $4,271,988. The same statement, and the statement of changes in net financial assets, show no budget at all for amortization (the yearly wearing-out cost of roads, buildings and equipment), while actual amortization was $1,743,097. So most of the gap looks like a difference in how the budget column is built rather than overspending, but the statements do not say so. The 36% is worked out by us.
The gap looks alarming and is probably not. Saying so in the statements would spare residents the worry.
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 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The statement of operations shows Transportation services: 3,147,026 budget, 4,271,988 actual for 2024, 3,830,495 for 2023. Total expenses: 8,582,497 budget, 9,619,418 actual for 2024.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · page 7, Consolidated Statement of Operations
The statement of change in net financial assets shows Amortization of tangible capital assets: a dash (nothing) in the 2024 budget column, 1,743,097 in the 2024 actual column, and 1,606,391 for 2023.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · page 6, Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets