Questions · 12 so far
We read Augusta's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 81 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+153%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2024
Augusta spent $258K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $654K in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 0 of 81 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$2.2Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Augusta had $2.2M saved at the end of 2024, down from $5.2M in 2019. That is 32% of one year's spending. Only 4 of 81 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$2,217,136land held for resale at December 31, 2025, unchanged from 2024
In 2024 the Township bought land to resell and paid for it with a mortgage. The 2025 statements show the land at the same value, $2,217,136, so the balance did not change in 2025. The mortgage balance was $2,082,276 at the end of 2025. The statements do not say which land it is, what it will be sold for, or when.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$5,129,629municipal debt at December 31, 2025, up from $4,912,581
Debt is money the Township has borrowed and must repay with interest. It rose from $4,912,581 to $5,129,629 in 2025, after a new $425,000 loan for a snow plow truck. Interest on this debt was $195,541 in 2025 and $126,959 in 2024. The statements show the Township owes more than its cash and money owed to it, which is why they report "net debt" of $2,482,452. That figure was lower than the year before ($3,161,135).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$2,476,271owed for landfill monitoring and asbestos removal at December 31, 2025
The Township closed two landfill sites in 2015 and must keep monitoring them until 2047. It also expects to pay to remove asbestos from municipal buildings. The statements count all of this as a debt called an "asset retirement obligation": $2,476,271 at the end of 2025. The note says "These costs are to be recovered from future taxation revenue and reserves." The reserve fund for the landfill holds $4,244.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$7,104,534taxation revenue in 2025, against $6,164,290 in 2024 and a budget of $6,942,926
The 2025 statements show "Taxation" revenue of $7,104,534, against $6,164,290 in 2024 and a budget of $6,942,926. The rise is $940,244, or 15.3% (worked out by us). Grants were nearly flat ($1,049,134 against $1,056,744) and investment income fell. The segment schedule shows taxation allocated to general government rising from $355,562 to $643,525, and to planning and development from $329,782 to $585,942.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$411,901operating surplus for 2025, moved to the working capital reserve
Council approved a 2025 budget that spent $9,098,464 and took in $8,548,858. The audited result was spending of $8,672,203 and revenue of $8,673,727, a surplus of $1,524 before other items. The Township's own reconciliation shows an operating surplus of $411,901, which it moved to its working capital reserve. Spending came in under budget in several places, among them planning and development ($483,671 against $739,242) and "Material and services" ($1,667,811 against $2,019,939).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$194,636left in the roads construction reserve at December 31, 2025, down from $411,489
Reserves are money Council sets aside for later use. The "Roads construction" reserve fell from $411,489 to $194,636 in 2025 and the "Modernization projects" reserve from $105,580 to $34,257. The "Asset management" reserve rose from $143,120 to $316,140 and the working capital reserve rose by $312,025 (worked out by us). Total reserves and reserve funds were $2,432,854. Roads were carried at a cost of $24,404,623, with $16,954,349 of that already written off as worn out (accumulated amortization).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
95 pagesin the 2026 Budget Workbook, nearly all page images with almost no readable text
The Township's Budget and Finance page says "PDF of the approved 2025 Budget" and the same for 2024, 2023 and 2022. When we followed each link on October 5, 2026, the "2025 Budget" link opened the 2025 tax rates by-law, and the 2024, 2023 and 2022 links opened the audited financial statements for those years. The only budget document on the page is the "2026 Budget Workbook" dated February 27, 2026, headed "draft" on the page. It is 95 pages and almost all of it is page images, so a computer, or a person using a screen reader, cannot read the numbers.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
June 23, 2025the date of the latest council meeting listed on the Agendas and Minutes page
Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month, with one meeting in July, August and December. The Township's Agendas and Minutes page, read on October 5, 2026, lists council meetings from January 13, 2025 to June 23, 2025. The page tabs run 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022. We found no listing for later 2025 or for 2026. The page says past agendas and minutes "are available upon request".
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+73%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Augusta spent $833K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.4M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 15 of 81 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
−$3.2Mnet financial position, 2024
In 2019, Augusta had $1.7M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$3.2M. About 53% of that change ($2.6M) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 13 of 81 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
+153%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2024
Augusta spent $258K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $654K in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 0 of 81 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +15% | +1% |
| 2021 | +18% | +4% |
| 2022 | +24% | +11% |
| 2023 | −6% | +16% |
| 2024 | +153% | +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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $258K, 2020 $297K, 2021 $305K, 2022 $320K, 2023 $242K, 2024 $654K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $136K to $521K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 41%. Augusta ranks 1st of 82.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 81 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$2.2Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Augusta had $2.2M saved at the end of 2024, down from $5.2M in 2019. That is 32% of one year's spending. Only 4 of 81 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5.2M |
| 2020 | $5.8M |
| 2021 | $4.8M |
| 2022 | $4.7M |
| 2023 | $3.1M |
| 2024 | $2.2M |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real cost.
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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $5.2M, 2020 $5.8M, 2021 $4.8M, 2022 $4.7M, 2023 $3.1M, 2024 $2.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 92% of a year's spending. Augusta: 32%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 81 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$2,217,136land held for resale at December 31, 2025, unchanged from 2024
In 2024 the Township bought land to resell and paid for it with a mortgage. The 2025 statements show the land at the same value, $2,217,136, so the balance did not change in 2025. The mortgage balance was $2,082,276 at the end of 2025. The statements do not say which land it is, what it will be sold for, or when.
A mortgage costs interest every month, whether or not the land sells. If the land sells for less than it cost, the gap would fall on property taxpayers. If it sells for more, the Township gains. Residents can only judge this if the plan is published.
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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Reports to Council about the land held for resale, with wording you can copy.
Statement of financial position: "Land held for resale" 2,217,136 at December 31, 2025 and 2,217,136 at December 31, 2024. "Municipal debt (Note 4)" 5,129,629 (2024: 4,912,581).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 6 (printed page 1)
Note 4: "Mortgage payable, interest at 4.66%, repayable in blended monthly payments of $14,014, due June 2029, secured by land held for resale" 2,082,276 (2024: 2,151,647).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 4, Municipal debt, PDF page 20 (printed page 15)
Schedule 3: "Municipal debt for land held for resale" (2,082,276) at 2025 and (2,151,648) at 2024, shown among liabilities "to be recovered from future revenues".
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Schedule 3, Consolidated Schedule of Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 12 (printed page 7)
2024 statement of financial position: "Land held for resale" 2,217,136 in 2024 and nothing in 2023. Note 5 lists the mortgage payable 2,151,648 "due July 2029, land held for resale" (the 2025 statements print "June 2029"). Note 7 shows "Purchase of land held for resale" (2,217,136) and "Proceeds from the issuance of municipal debt" 2,185,000 in 2024.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP, August 27, 2025) · Statement of financial position, PDF page 5; Note 5, PDF page 20; Note 7, PDF page 21
$5,129,629municipal debt at December 31, 2025, up from $4,912,581
Debt is money the Township has borrowed and must repay with interest. It rose from $4,912,581 to $5,129,629 in 2025, after a new $425,000 loan for a snow plow truck. Interest on this debt was $195,541 in 2025 and $126,959 in 2024. The statements show the Township owes more than its cash and money owed to it, which is why they report "net debt" of $2,482,452. That figure was lower than the year before ($3,161,135).
Interest and loan payments come out of the same tax money that pays for roads and fire services. A larger share going to debt leaves less for everything else. The note on repayments assumes the loans are renewed, so the real payments depend on future interest rates.
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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of financial position: "Municipal debt (Note 4)" 5,129,629 (2024: 4,912,581). "Net debt" (2,482,452) (2024: (3,161,135)).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 6 (printed page 1)
Note 4: "Loan payable, interest at 3.06%, repayable in monthly principal payments of $7,083 plus interest, due December 2030, public works snow plow truck" 425,000 (2024: nothing). Principal repayments "assuming long-term debt subject to refinancing is renewed": 2026 297,278; 2027 306,498; 2028 316,120; 2029 326,163; 2030 336,644; "Thereafter" 3,546,926.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 4, Municipal debt, PDF page 20 (printed page 15)
Note 8, Expenditures by object: "Interest on municipal debt" budget 191,108, actual 195,541 for 2025, and 126,959 for 2024.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 8, PDF page 22 (printed page 17)
2024 statements, Note 5: "Loan payable, interest at 2.67%, repayable in blended monthly payments of $18,299, due April 2025, Maitland Fire Hall" 2,760,934.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP, August 27, 2025) · Note 5, Municipal debt, PDF page 20 (printed page 16)
2025 statements, Note 4: "Loan payable, interest at 2.67%, repayable in blended monthly payments of $20,268, due April 2030, Maitland Fire Hall" 2,622,353.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 4, Municipal debt, PDF page 20 (printed page 15)
$2,476,271owed for landfill monitoring and asbestos removal at December 31, 2025
The Township closed two landfill sites in 2015 and must keep monitoring them until 2047. It also expects to pay to remove asbestos from municipal buildings. The statements count all of this as a debt called an "asset retirement obligation": $2,476,271 at the end of 2025. The note says "These costs are to be recovered from future taxation revenue and reserves." The reserve fund for the landfill holds $4,244.
Costs that are certain but far in the future are paid by whoever pays taxes then. Setting money aside now spreads the cost fairly. The statements show that most of it has not been set aside.
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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of financial position: "Asset retirement obligations (Note 5)" 2,476,271 (2024: 2,555,030).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 6 (printed page 1)
Note 5: two landfill sites "both closed in 2015"; monitoring "until 2047"; annual costs "estimated to be $66,000 per year"; total post-closure costs estimated at $2,259,466 (2024: $2,338,225); "These costs are to be recovered from future taxation revenue and reserves."
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 5, Asset retirement obligation, PDF page 21 (printed page 16)
Schedule 3: "Asset retirement obligations" (1,959,598) (2024: (2,038,357)) under "Liabilities to be recovered from future revenues"; "Net operating deficit" (1,467,130) (2024: (2,279,265)). Note 9 lists "Capital landfill" reserve fund 4,244.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Schedule 3, PDF page 12 (printed page 7); Note 9, PDF page 23 (printed page 18)
$7,104,534taxation revenue in 2025, against $6,164,290 in 2024 and a budget of $6,942,926
The 2025 statements show "Taxation" revenue of $7,104,534, against $6,164,290 in 2024 and a budget of $6,942,926. The rise is $940,244, or 15.3% (worked out by us). Grants were nearly flat ($1,049,134 against $1,056,744) and investment income fell. The segment schedule shows taxation allocated to general government rising from $355,562 to $643,525, and to planning and development from $329,782 to $585,942.
Property tax is the Township's biggest source of money. A rise this large either comes from a higher tax rate, from more or newly assessed property, or from a change in how the revenue is counted. Residents should be able to tell 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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations: "Taxation" budget 6,942,926, actual 7,104,534 for 2025, and 6,164,290 for 2024. "Grants" 1,049,134 (2024: 1,056,744). "Investment income" 212,227 (2024: 285,327).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 7 (printed page 2)
Schedule 5, segment taxation, 2025: "General Government" 643,525; "Planning and Development" 585,942. Schedule 5 for 2024: "General Government" 355,562; "Planning and Development" 329,782.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Schedule 5, PDF pages 14 and 15 (printed pages 9 and 10)
Note 6: the 2025 budget figures are "based upon the 2025 operating and capital budgets that have been approved by Council on February 24, 2025".
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 6, Operating surplus, PDF page 21 (printed page 16)
By-law 3764-2025, "A by-law to adopt and levy the 2025 tax rates": "Read a third time and passed this 24th day of February, 2025". Item 1 sets a tax rate of 0.00797325 for the residential/farm class.
By-law Number 3764-2025, a by-law to adopt and levy the 2025 tax rates · Page 1, item 1; page 3, passing clause
$411,901operating surplus for 2025, moved to the working capital reserve
Council approved a 2025 budget that spent $9,098,464 and took in $8,548,858. The audited result was spending of $8,672,203 and revenue of $8,673,727, a surplus of $1,524 before other items. The Township's own reconciliation shows an operating surplus of $411,901, which it moved to its working capital reserve. Spending came in under budget in several places, among them planning and development ($483,671 against $739,242) and "Material and services" ($1,667,811 against $2,019,939).
A budget is the promise to taxpayers about what the year will cost. A year that costs less than the promise leaves money over. It can also mean the budget set aside more tax money than the work needed, or that planned work was not done.
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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations, 2025: revenue budget 8,548,858, actual 8,673,727; expenses budget 9,098,464, actual 8,672,203; "Surplus (deficit) before other items" budget (549,606), actual 1,524. "Planning and Development" budget 739,242, actual 483,671 (2024: 582,405).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 7 (printed page 2)
Note 8: "Material and services" budget 2,019,939, actual 1,667,811 (2024: 1,635,201); "Wages and benefits" budget 3,062,701, actual 2,979,376.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 8, Expenditures by object, PDF page 22 (printed page 17)
Note 6: "The operating surplus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 was $411,901 (2024 - deficit of $65,082), which was transferred to the working capital reserve." Note 9: "Working capital" 1,099,094 (2024: 787,069).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 6, PDF page 21 (printed page 16); Note 9, PDF page 23 (printed page 18)
$194,636left in the roads construction reserve at December 31, 2025, down from $411,489
Reserves are money Council sets aside for later use. The "Roads construction" reserve fell from $411,489 to $194,636 in 2025 and the "Modernization projects" reserve from $105,580 to $34,257. The "Asset management" reserve rose from $143,120 to $316,140 and the working capital reserve rose by $312,025 (worked out by us). Total reserves and reserve funds were $2,432,854. Roads were carried at a cost of $24,404,623, with $16,954,349 of that already written off as worn out (accumulated amortization).
Roads wear out and must be rebuilt. Savings now mean a smaller bill or smaller loan later. Reserves much smaller than the cost of what they are meant to replace can mean larger tax rises or more borrowing, though reserves are only one way to pay for 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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 9, Reserves: "Roads construction" 194,636 (2024: 411,489); "Modernization projects" 34,257 (2024: 105,580); "Asset management" 316,140 (2024: 143,120); "Fire equipment" 181,500 (2024: nothing); "Working capital" 1,099,094 (2024: 787,069); "Total reserves and reserve funds" 2,432,854 (2024: 2,174,798).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Note 9, Reserves and reserve funds, PDF page 23 (printed page 18)
Schedule 1, Roads: cost 24,404,623 at the end of 2025; accumulated amortization 16,954,349; net book value 7,450,274. "Amortization during the year" for all assets 1,562,563.
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Schedule 1, Tangible capital assets by asset type, PDF page 10 (printed page 5)
Schedule 4: "Operating funds transferred to reserves and reserve funds" (798,526); "Reserves and reserve funds transferred for tangible capital assets" (362,735). Schedule 5: Transportation "Surplus (deficit) before other items" (786,606).
Corporation of the Township of Augusta, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, July 13, 2026) · Schedule 4, PDF page 13 (printed page 8); Schedule 5, PDF page 14 (printed page 9)
95 pagesin the 2026 Budget Workbook, nearly all page images with almost no readable text
The Township's Budget and Finance page says "PDF of the approved 2025 Budget" and the same for 2024, 2023 and 2022. When we followed each link on October 5, 2026, the "2025 Budget" link opened the 2025 tax rates by-law, and the 2024, 2023 and 2022 links opened the audited financial statements for those years. The only budget document on the page is the "2026 Budget Workbook" dated February 27, 2026, headed "draft" on the page. It is 95 pages and almost all of it is page images, so a computer, or a person using a screen reader, cannot read the numbers.
The budget is the document that sets next year's taxes. If residents cannot find or read the approved budget, they cannot check spending against it. The audited statements are useful, but they report the past. The budget shows the 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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: The approved 2025 operating and capital budget, with wording you can copy.
The page offers "PDF of the approved 2025 Budget", and the same wording for 2024, 2023 and 2022. It also lists "2026 Draft Budget Report: PDF of the draft 2026 Budget". The page notes: "Some documents are not in an accessible format. For alternative options, please contact the Township Office."
Township of Augusta, Budget and Finance page · Budget and Finance page, "Annual Budget & Financial Reports" and note at the foot of the documents list. The links behind the 2022 to 2025 "Budget" labels lead to by-law 3764-2025 (2025) and to the audited financial statements for 2024, 2023 and 2022 (checked by opening each file).
The 2026 Budget Workbook cover reads "BUDGET WORKBOOK 2026 FEBRUARY 27, 2026". The file has 95 pages; we could extract text from the cover page only.
Township of Augusta, 2026 Budget Workbook (draft), February 27, 2026 · PDF page 1 (cover); pages 2 to 95 are images
June 23, 2025the date of the latest council meeting listed on the Agendas and Minutes page
Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month, with one meeting in July, August and December. The Township's Agendas and Minutes page, read on October 5, 2026, lists council meetings from January 13, 2025 to June 23, 2025. The page tabs run 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022. We found no listing for later 2025 or for 2026. The page says past agendas and minutes "are available upon request".
Minutes are the public record of what Council decided and how each member voted. An election is on October 26, 2026. Residents cannot judge this council's decisions if the record after June 2025 is not posted.
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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Past meeting agendas and minutes are maintained by the Clerk's Department and are available upon request." The list headed "Meetings and Agendas 2025-2022" shows council meetings from January 13, 2025 up to June 23, 2025.
Township of Augusta, Agendas and Minutes page · Agendas and Minutes page, introduction and "Council" table
Council page: "Regular Council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m." and "Meetings are also recorded and posted on the Township's official YouTube channel".
Township of Augusta, Council page · Council page, "Council Meetings" section
+73%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Augusta spent $833K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.4M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 15 of 81 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +19% | +1% |
| 2021 | +34% | +4% |
| 2022 | +55% | +11% |
| 2023 | +69% | +16% |
| 2024 | +73% | +18% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Augusta? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $833K, 2020 $990K, 2021 $1.1M, 2022 $1.3M, 2023 $1.4M, 2024 $1.4M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Senior management, from $332K to $1.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 45%. Augusta ranks 16th of 82.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 81 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
−$3.2Mnet financial position, 2024
In 2019, Augusta had $1.7M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$3.2M. About 53% of that change ($2.6M) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 13 of 81 similar towns are in a weaker position.
| Year | Net financial position |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $1.7M |
| 2020 | $2.3M |
| 2021 | $888K |
| 2022 | −$1.1M |
| 2023 | −$2.1M |
| 2024 | −$3.2M |
This number is one of the clearest signs of whether a town is living within its means. The accounting-rule part is a bill that will come due when the landfill closes, not money already spent. The rest is real borrowing and spending of savings.
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Net financial assets: 2019 $1.7M, 2020 $2.3M, 2021 $888K, 2022 −$1.1M, 2023 −$2.1M, 2024 −$3.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 9945 · archived copy
Future landfill and similar closing costs recorded: $2.6M. Long-term debt: $4.9M. Temporary loans: $0.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, lines 2920, 2699, 2099 · archived copy