Questions · 8 so far
We read Blandford - Blenheim's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 38 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+140%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
Blandford - Blenheim spent $2.3M on roads and snow in 2019 and $5.5M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 38 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$4.5Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Blandford - Blenheim had $4.5M saved at the end of 2025, down from $4.6M in 2019. That is 42% of one year's spending. Only 1 of 38 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.
$2.0Mdebenture the Township says it will issue for the Princeton Fire Hall once construction is complete
Debt is money borrowed and paid back with interest. At the end of 2025 the Township owed $1,583,776 in long-term debt, and the interest it paid in the year rose from $3,934 to $69,456. The Township's own development charges report says the Princeton Fire Hall cost $2,177,836.30 in 2025 and that a $2.0M debenture (a loan the Township issues, paid back over years) is to be issued when construction is complete. The 2026 budget book shows $3,000,000 of one-time "Other Revenue" in the fire department and does not say what it is. The 2025 budget book had $2,000,000 in the same place, and the 2025 "Actual YTD" column shows only $116,807 of Other Revenue.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$7,303,464spent on transportation services in 2025, against a budget column of $2,875,960
Transportation services means roads, bridges and winter control. In the audited Statement of Operations the 2025 budget for it is $2,875,960 and the actual is $7,303,464 (2024: $6,319,071). The Township's note on the budget says the operating budget is the one shown in that statement, and that capital work is budgeted project by project. The statements do not say how much of the $7,303,464 was capital-type work, or how much was non-cash amortization (the yearly wearing-out of roads and bridges on the books).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$69,882net financial assets at the end of 2025, down from $2,748,633 at the start of 2024
Net financial assets is what the Township has in cash and money owed to it, minus what it owes. The Township's own note says it "explains the Township's overall future revenue requirements and its ability to finance activities and meet its obligations." It was $2,748,633 at the start of 2024, $718,691 at the end of 2024 and $69,882 at the end of 2025, against a 2025 budget for $257,396. Cash fell from $4,950,695 to $3,046,140 in 2025, and reserves (savings set aside for later) fell from $4,981,289 to $4,459,184.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$(26,639)development charges balance at the end of 2025, down from $205,764
Development charges are fees on new buildings that pay for the roads, fire protection and parks that growth needs. The Township collected $52,539.00 in 2025 and moved $288,434.00 out to capital projects. The balance went from $205,764 held at the end of 2024 to minus $26,639, meaning the Township spent growth money it has not yet collected. The Township explains this in its own report: it says growth projects are sometimes finished before the fees have been collected, and the gap is covered by borrowing that future fees will repay.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$6,235,931capital work in progress at the end of 2025, up from $3,546,038
Capital means roads, buildings and equipment that last years. In the audited statements the 2025 budget column expected $7,065,589 in government transfers for capital and the actual was $4,390,256 (a gap of $2,675,333, worked out by us). The statements also planned to buy $12,248,832 of capital assets and bought $5,770,715. Capital work in progress (projects not yet finished) grew from $3,546,038 to $6,235,931. The Township says capital budgets are set project by project, which fits projects that run across more than one year. The 2026 budget book shows the same pattern for roads: grants budgeted at 3,810,356 for 2025 against 718,425 in the year-to-date column.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$228,699investment income in 2025, against a budget of $106,802
The audited 2025 statements show investment income of $228,699 against a budget of $106,802, and user charges (fees for things like the arena and permits) of $902,240 against a budget of $709,613. Taxation was close to budget: $7,691,012 against $7,623,476. The Township does not explain the difference in the statements.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
+140%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
Blandford - Blenheim spent $2.3M on roads and snow in 2019 and $5.5M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 38 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +3% | +1% |
| 2021 | +0% | +4% |
| 2022 | +8% | +11% |
| 2023 | +96% | +16% |
| 2024 | +97% | +18% |
| 2025 | +140% | +21% |
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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $2.3M, 2020 $2.4M, 2021 $2.3M, 2022 $2.5M, 2023 $4.5M, 2024 $4.6M, 2025 $5.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Paved roads, from $328K to $3.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 43%. Blandford - Blenheim ranks 1st of 39.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 38 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$4.5Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Blandford - Blenheim had $4.5M saved at the end of 2025, down from $4.6M in 2019. That is 42% of one year's spending. Only 1 of 38 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $4.6M |
| 2020 | $4.6M |
| 2021 | $3.7M |
| 2022 | $5.7M |
| 2023 | $3.8M |
| 2024 | $5.0M |
| 2025 | $4.5M |
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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $4.6M, 2020 $4.6M, 2021 $3.7M, 2022 $5.7M, 2023 $3.8M, 2024 $5.0M, 2025 $4.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 100% of a year's spending. Blandford - Blenheim: 42%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 38 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$2.0Mdebenture the Township says it will issue for the Princeton Fire Hall once construction is complete
Debt is money borrowed and paid back with interest. At the end of 2025 the Township owed $1,583,776 in long-term debt, and the interest it paid in the year rose from $3,934 to $69,456. The Township's own development charges report says the Princeton Fire Hall cost $2,177,836.30 in 2025 and that a $2.0M debenture (a loan the Township issues, paid back over years) is to be issued when construction is complete. The 2026 budget book shows $3,000,000 of one-time "Other Revenue" in the fire department and does not say what it is. The 2025 budget book had $2,000,000 in the same place, and the 2025 "Actual YTD" column shows only $116,807 of Other Revenue.
A loan has to be paid back by taxpayers or by future growth fees, for years. The Township says future development charges will help pay the debentures, but growth fees have been thin: see the question on development charges. Residents can fairly ask how big the new debt will be and what each year's payment will 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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Princeton Fire Hall debenture and financing, with wording you can copy.
Report to council, Financial Considerations: "external debt is permitted under the Development Charges Act, (1997) to cash flow the capital costs of the project and is repaid by the future DC collections. This is the case for both the Princeton Drainage project as well as the Princeton Fire Hall. Future DCs collected will assist in funding debenture payments for both of these projects." Project funding table: Princeton Fire Hall, 2025 project costs $2,177,836.30, with the note "**$2.0M debenture to be issued when construction is complete".
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2025 Development Charges Annual Report (report to council, March 25, 2026) · PDF page 2 (Financial Considerations) and PDF page 5 (2025 Capital Project Funding Including Development Charges, Princeton Fire Hall row and footnote)
Fire Department detail, "Other Revenue": Budget 2025 (2,039,700); 2026 One Time Impact (3,000,000); 2026 Proposed Budget (3,056,350); Actual YTD 2025 (116,807). "Capital Expenditures": Budget 2025 2,717,600; 2026 Proposed Budget 3,743,118. The page does not say what "Other Revenue" is.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2026 Approved Capital and Operation Budgets · PDF page 13 (Total Fire Department detail)
Fire Department detail, "Other Revenue": Budget 2025 One Time Impact (2,000,000), Proposed Budget (2,039,700). "Capital Expenditures" 2,717,600.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2025 Approved Capital and Operation Budgets · PDF page 19 (Total Fire Department detail)
Statement of Financial Position: "Net long-term liabilities (note 7)" 1,583,776 (2024: 1,630,200). Note 7e: "The Township paid interest on its long-term liabilities of $69,456 (2024 - $3,934)."
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 5 (Statement of Financial Position) and PDF page 15 (Note 7e)
$7,303,464spent on transportation services in 2025, against a budget column of $2,875,960
Transportation services means roads, bridges and winter control. In the audited Statement of Operations the 2025 budget for it is $2,875,960 and the actual is $7,303,464 (2024: $6,319,071). The Township's note on the budget says the operating budget is the one shown in that statement, and that capital work is budgeted project by project. The statements do not say how much of the $7,303,464 was capital-type work, or how much was non-cash amortization (the yearly wearing-out of roads and bridges on the books).
Roads are the biggest part of the Township's spending. A reader who compares the two columns sees a gap of more than four million dollars. The statements give part of the reason (different kinds of budget) but not enough for a resident to tell planned work from a cost overrun.
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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of Operations, EXPENDITURES, "Transportation services": Budget 2025 2,875,960; Actual 2025 7,303,464; Actual 2024 6,319,071.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 6 (Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, printed page 4)
Note 1.k Budget: "The approved operating budget for 2025 is reflected on the Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus. For capital spending, budgets are set for individual projects and funding for these activities is determined annually".
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 11 (Note 1.k)
Schedule 2, segmented information, transportation column: salaries and benefits 1,231,062; materials, goods and services 4,253,262; rent and financial expenses 59,520; amortization 1,759,620; total 7,303,464 (the four lines add to the total).
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 18 (Schedule 2)
Public Works - Roads, "Capital Expenditures": Budget 2025 11,745,232; Actual YTD 2025 7,958,946. "Total Public Works - Roads": Budget 2025 4,095,040; Actual YTD 2025 8,101,586.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2026 Approved Capital and Operation Budgets · PDF page 19 (Total Public Works - Roads detail)
$69,882net financial assets at the end of 2025, down from $2,748,633 at the start of 2024
Net financial assets is what the Township has in cash and money owed to it, minus what it owes. The Township's own note says it "explains the Township's overall future revenue requirements and its ability to finance activities and meet its obligations." It was $2,748,633 at the start of 2024, $718,691 at the end of 2024 and $69,882 at the end of 2025, against a 2025 budget for $257,396. Cash fell from $4,950,695 to $3,046,140 in 2025, and reserves (savings set aside for later) fell from $4,981,289 to $4,459,184.
When this number reaches zero the Township has no cushion left beyond what it owns in roads, buildings and equipment, which cannot be spent. A fall can be a sign of building things the Township will use for years. It can also mean taxes or fees will have to rise or more debt will follow.
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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets: "NET FINANCIAL ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR" 2024 actual 2,748,633; "NET FINANCIAL ASSETS, END OF YEAR" budget 2025 257,396, actual 2025 $ 69,882, actual 2024 $ 718,691. "Change in net financial assets" (648,809) in 2025 and (2,029,942) in 2024. "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" (5,770,715) in 2025 and (5,230,790) in 2024.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 8 (Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets)
Statement of Financial Position: "Cash" $ 3,046,140 (2024: $ 4,950,695). "Accounts receivable" 4,030,511 (2024: 3,459,920).
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 5 (Statement of Financial Position)
Note 8 Accumulated Surplus: "Reserves" 4,459,184 (2024: 4,981,289).
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 15 (Note 8)
$(26,639)development charges balance at the end of 2025, down from $205,764
Development charges are fees on new buildings that pay for the roads, fire protection and parks that growth needs. The Township collected $52,539.00 in 2025 and moved $288,434.00 out to capital projects. The balance went from $205,764 held at the end of 2024 to minus $26,639, meaning the Township spent growth money it has not yet collected. The Township explains this in its own report: it says growth projects are sometimes finished before the fees have been collected, and the gap is covered by borrowing that future fees will repay.
If growth is slower than hoped, the fees may not arrive, and the gap falls to existing taxpayers. This is allowed and common, so we rate it as context, not a concern. Residents can still ask how large the gap is expected to get.
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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 6 Deferred revenue: "Development charges" $ (26,639) (2024: $ 205,764).
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 13 (Note 6)
Report to council: "The total amount of Development Charges collected in 2025 was $52,539.00." "The total amount transferred from Development Charges in 2025 was $288,434.00, all funding towards capital projects." Reserve fund table, "Balance at Year End", totals column: ($26,638.43).
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2025 Development Charges Annual Report (report to council, March 25, 2026) · PDF page 2 (Analysis & Discussion) and PDF page 4 (Development Charges Reserve Funds, totals)
Report to council: "In some cases, growth-related capital projects are completed prior to having fully collected the necessary DCs to fund the project. In these situations, external debt is permitted under the Development Charges Act, (1997) to cash flow the capital costs of the project and is repaid by the future DC collections."
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2025 Development Charges Annual Report (report to council, March 25, 2026) · PDF page 2 (Financial Considerations)
$6,235,931capital work in progress at the end of 2025, up from $3,546,038
Capital means roads, buildings and equipment that last years. In the audited statements the 2025 budget column expected $7,065,589 in government transfers for capital and the actual was $4,390,256 (a gap of $2,675,333, worked out by us). The statements also planned to buy $12,248,832 of capital assets and bought $5,770,715. Capital work in progress (projects not yet finished) grew from $3,546,038 to $6,235,931. The Township says capital budgets are set project by project, which fits projects that run across more than one year. The 2026 budget book shows the same pattern for roads: grants budgeted at 3,810,356 for 2025 against 718,425 in the year-to-date column.
When grants arrive later than planned, the Township may pay first from its own savings or borrow. That ties back to the fall in net financial assets. It also means the budget is a rough guide to what will happen in a 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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of Operations, "Government transfers related to capital": Budget 2025 7,065,589; Actual 2025 4,390,256; Actual 2024 2,503,811.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 6 (Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, printed page 4)
Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets, "Acquisition of tangible capital assets": Budget 2025 (12,248,832); Actual 2025 (5,770,715). Statement of Financial Position, "Capital work in progress" 6,235,931 (2024: 3,546,038).
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 8 (Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets) and PDF page 5 (Statement of Financial Position)
Public Works - Roads detail, "Federal / Provincial Grants": Budget 2025 (3,810,356); Actual YTD 2025 (718,425). "Contribution from Reserves": Budget 2025 (3,403,957); Actual YTD 2025 (878,480).
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2026 Approved Capital and Operation Budgets · PDF page 19 (Total Public Works - Roads detail)
$228,699investment income in 2025, against a budget of $106,802
The audited 2025 statements show investment income of $228,699 against a budget of $106,802, and user charges (fees for things like the arena and permits) of $902,240 against a budget of $709,613. Taxation was close to budget: $7,691,012 against $7,623,476. The Township does not explain the difference in the statements.
A budget that keeps coming in low on revenue can make the year look tighter than it is, and can lead to higher taxes than needed. It may also reflect caution.
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 Blandford - Blenheim? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of Operations, REVENUE: "Investment income" Budget 2025 106,802; Actual 2025 228,699; Actual 2024 272,646. "User charges" Budget 2025 709,613; Actual 2025 902,240; Actual 2024 937,165. "Taxation revenue" Budget 2025 $ 7,623,476; Actual 2025 $ 7,691,012.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (auditor's report dated June 3, 2026) · PDF page 6 (Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, printed page 4)