$1,500,000added to the 2026 property tax levy to replace speed camera proceeds that paid $1,770,000 in 2025
In January 2025 Council funded part of the Town's share of the police budget with $1,770,000 of net proceeds from the speed camera program (Automated Speed Enforcement, or ASE). In January 2026 the same share is funded with $1,500,000 "from an additional property tax levy to replace the net proceeds" of that program. The Town's 2026 budget flyer says about $90 of the average household's tax increase is due to the cancellation of the program, and that this accounts for 1.62% of the 2026 tax increase. The pages we read do not say who ended the program or when. $1,500,000 is $270,000 less than $1,770,000 (worked out by us), so the Town has not replaced the whole amount.
$15,834,693the Town's 2026 share of police costs, against $14,239,786 in 2025
The Town shares a police service (South Simcoe) with Innisfil. Council's January 2025 resolution put the Town's share at $14,239,786, paid with $12,143,113 from the property tax levy and the rest from grants, a police reserve and speed camera money. The January 2026 recommendation puts the 2026 share at $15,834,693, with $13,284,151 from the levy. That is $1,594,907 (11.2%) more in total, and $1,141,038 (9.4%) more from the property tax levy (both worked out by us). Police representatives told Council in December 2025 that service demand is projected to rise 14% compared with 2024. The Town's 2026 flyer lists increased funding to the police service as a key budget item.
$645,7302025 General Taxation Deficit funded from the Capital Expenditure Reserves
On June 16, 2026 Council received the 2025 Financial Report. The minutes record Council funding "the 2025 General Taxation Deficit of $645,730" from the Capital Expenditure Reserves, and moving $602,702 from those same reserves into the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserves. Capital reserves are savings meant for roads, buildings and equipment. A year earlier, on June 17, 2025, Council allocated a 2024 General Taxation Surplus (the minutes do not give the amount). The report that explains the numbers (pages 16 and 18) is an attachment on the Town's meeting portal that refused a scripted download, so we could not read the cause.
$40,300,000of long-term debt authorized for placement over a 7-year term, plus $65,000,000 of short-term construction financing for a sewage plant project
On September 2, 2025 the Committee of the Whole sent a report titled "2025 Long Term Debt Issue" back to staff. On October 7, 2025 Council approved a committee recommendation authorizing staff "to continue to work with TD for the placement of $40,300,000 of Long Term Debt for a 7-Year Term as outlined in the Report". A "2025 Borrowing By-law" for "various capital expenditures and land acquisitions" passed on October 21, 2025. On December 2, 2025 staff were authorized to source $65,000,000 of short-term construction financing for a sewage plant upgrade (the Water Pollution Control Plant odour control, aeration and membrane project), and a by-law for it passed on December 16, 2025. The reports that carry the loan's purpose and repayment plan are attachments on the meeting portal that refused a scripted download. We could not read them.