Questions · 10 so far
We read Charlton-Dack's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 24 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+14%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, Charlton-Dack collected $108K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 14% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 1 of 24 similar towns raised theirs by more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$216Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $216K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 21% of everything billed. Only 2 of 24 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $218K.
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.
2021the newest year of audited statements we found posted, against a June 2026 council approval of the 2025 statements
Audited financial statements are the yearly report card on a municipality's money, checked by an outside accountant. The Municipality's Financial Statements page links nine years, 2013 to 2021. The newest has an auditor's report dated June 6, 2022. Council's minutes of June 1, 2026 show that council received and approved the 2025 audited financials that day. We did not find the 2025 statements, or the ones for 2022, 2023 and 2024, on the website.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
3.75%tax increase approved on June 1, 2026, with no budget document that we could find
A budget is the plan for what the Municipality will spend and collect in a year. Council was shown a draft 2026 budget on April 13, 2026. On May 4, a motion to approve a budget with the tax increase left blank was deferred. On June 1, 2026, council approved the 2026 budget "with a tax increase of 3.75%", higher water charges, and tax rates were set on July 6. We did not find the budget itself, draft or adopted, on the website. The agendas list "2026 Draft Budget (attachment)", but the posted agenda files hold only the list of items.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$238,000Grant Road repair awarded on July 6, 2026
On July 6, 2026 council awarded the Grant Road repair to Curran Contracting for $238,000, after a request for quotes (an RFQ, where the Municipality asks contractors for a price). One month earlier, on June 1, the minutes list the roads for maintenance in 2026 as Brentha Road, River Road and the Charlton grindings. Grant Road was not on that list. We did not find how many quotes came in, what the other prices were, or which budget or grant pays for the work.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
2022the year of the newest tender listed on the RFP and Tenders page
A request for quotes is how a municipality asks contractors to price a job. The 2026 minutes and agendas name several: the Grant Road repair, sand shed repairs (a quote for $85,500.00 was approved on April 13) and a Winter Sand RFQ on the September 2 agenda. The Municipality's RFP and Tenders page lists two items, both gravel tenders from 2022, and nothing newer.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$20,000approximate bill for "extras" at the Charlton water plant by February 2, 2026
On February 2, 2026, staff told council that both lift pumps (the pumps that move water through the plant) at the Charlton water plant were having issues, although both were less than a year old, and that a bill for "extras" of approx. $20,000 had already come in for 2026. Staff were to meet the local MPP about the rising costs of running the plant. On June 1, council raised the charge for vacant lots on the water system from $50 to $75 and user fees for Charlton water system users by $50 each. A Charlton Water Plant report is listed as an attachment on the September 2 agenda, and we could not read it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
+53%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Charlton-Dack spent $187K on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $287K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$85,500.00repair quote approved on April 13, 2026 and rescinded on May 4 after the fire
On April 13, 2026 council approved a quote of $85,500.00 from Carved in Stone for sand shed repairs. On May 4 the public works report said a plow truck caught fire, which damaged the sand shed, and that insurance was now involved. That day council rescinded (cancelled) the April approval "as the asset has since been damaged in a fire". The July 6 minutes say sand shed quotes were being obtained, and a Winter Sand RFQ is on the September 2 agenda. We did not find what the new repair will cost or what insurance will pay.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$28,798landfill liability at December 31, 2021, described as unfunded
A landfill must be capped and watched for years after it closes, and the cost is counted as a debt that builds up as the site fills. The 2021 statements record a landfill closure and post-closure liability of $28,798, out of an estimated future total of $100,431. The note says the liability "is currently unfunded and is expected to be funded through budget allocations to a landfill reserve". The list of reserves in note 13 has no landfill reserve. The statements for later years are not posted, so we could not check whether one has been started.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+14%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, Charlton-Dack collected $108K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 14% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 1 of 24 similar towns raised theirs by more.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $636K |
| 2020 | $636K |
| 2021 | $686K |
| 2022 | $715K |
| 2023 | $744K |
| 2024 | $786K |
| 2025 | $894K |
A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $386 more each 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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $786,131 in 2024, $894,190 in 2025.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 24 similar Ontario towns: 4.4%. Charlton-Dack ranks 2nd highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 24 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.1% over the same year.
$216Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $216K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 21% of everything billed. Only 2 of 24 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $218K.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $148K |
| 2020 | $120K |
| 2021 | $89,175 |
| 2022 | $128K |
| 2023 | $193K |
| 2024 | $218K |
| 2025 | $216K |
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $148K, 2020 $120K, 2021 $89,175, 2022 $128K, 2023 $193K, 2024 $218K, 2025 $216K. Of the 2025 total, $53,914 was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 9.4% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 24 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
2021the newest year of audited statements we found posted, against a June 2026 council approval of the 2025 statements
Audited financial statements are the yearly report card on a municipality's money, checked by an outside accountant. The Municipality's Financial Statements page links nine years, 2013 to 2021. The newest has an auditor's report dated June 6, 2022. Council's minutes of June 1, 2026 show that council received and approved the 2025 audited financials that day. We did not find the 2025 statements, or the ones for 2022, 2023 and 2024, on the website.
The statements are the one place a resident can see the whole picture: what the Municipality owns, what it owes, what it saved and what it spent. Without the last four years, the newest picture a resident can read is five years old.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Financial Statements page lists "2021 Financial Statements", "2020 Financial Statements", and so on back to "2013 Financial Statements". No later year is listed.
Municipality of Charlton and Dack, Financial Statements page · list of nine links, read October 7, 2026
Minutes of June 1, 2026, item 5: "THAT Council receive and approve the 2025 Audited Financials, and the signing of required documents." (motion 26-67, carried), after a presentation from the auditor's firm.
Council Meeting Minutes, June 1, 2026 · page 1, item 5, Guests, Delegations, Petitions
The newest posted statements are for December 31, 2021. The auditor's report is dated June 6, 2022.
Financial Report, December 31, 2021 · PDF page 6, end of the Independent Auditor's Report
3.75%tax increase approved on June 1, 2026, with no budget document that we could find
A budget is the plan for what the Municipality will spend and collect in a year. Council was shown a draft 2026 budget on April 13, 2026. On May 4, a motion to approve a budget with the tax increase left blank was deferred. On June 1, 2026, council approved the 2026 budget "with a tax increase of 3.75%", higher water charges, and tax rates were set on July 6. We did not find the budget itself, draft or adopted, on the website. The agendas list "2026 Draft Budget (attachment)", but the posted agenda files hold only the list of items.
The budget is what residents pay tax for. A percentage alone does not say how many dollars it raises, what it pays for, or what it was compared with. The budget was approved in the sixth month of the year, so part of it had already been spent.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Minutes of June 1, 2026, item 8.2: "THAT Council hereby approves the 2026 Budget with a tax increase of 3.75%, an increase in water charges for vacant lots from $50 to $75, and an increase in user fees for Charlton water system users by $50 each." (motion 26-71, carried).
Council Meeting Minutes, June 1, 2026 · page 2, item 8.2 Draft Budget
Minutes of May 4, 2026, item 8.2: "THAT Council hereby approves the 2026 Budget with a tax increase of ____ %" (motion 26-58), marked "deferred".
Council Meeting Minutes, May 4, 2026 · page 2, item 8.2 Draft Budget (attachment) - Motion
Minutes of April 13, 2026, item 8.2: "2026 Municipal Draft Budget presented, staff will come back with examples for tax rates".
Council Meeting Minutes, April 13, 2026 · page 3, item 8.2 Draft Budget (attachment)
The June 1, 2026 agenda lists item 8.2 as "2026 Draft Budget (attachment) -Motion". The agenda file is a list of items and does not contain the attachment.
Council Agenda, June 1, 2026 · page 1, item 8.2
$238,000Grant Road repair awarded on July 6, 2026
On July 6, 2026 council awarded the Grant Road repair to Curran Contracting for $238,000, after a request for quotes (an RFQ, where the Municipality asks contractors for a price). One month earlier, on June 1, the minutes list the roads for maintenance in 2026 as Brentha Road, River Road and the Charlton grindings. Grant Road was not on that list. We did not find how many quotes came in, what the other prices were, or which budget or grant pays for the work.
This is a large job for a municipality this size. In 2021 the Municipality's total expenses were $1,786,154, and it added $88,531 of roads that year. Spending of this size should have a clear price comparison and a clear source of money.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Minutes of July 6, 2026, item 6.2 Grant Rd Repair RFQ: "THAT Council approves Grant Rd repair is awarded to Curran Contracting in the amount of $238,000." (motion 26-78, carried). The minutes give no other quotes and no funding source.
Council Meeting Minutes, July 6, 2026 · page 2, item 6.2
Minutes of June 1, 2026, item 6.2 Roads for maintenance in 2026: "Brentha Road, from River Rd west", "River Rd, from Sprucegrove to bridge", "Charlton grindings".
Council Meeting Minutes, June 1, 2026 · page 2, item 6.2
Context from the newest posted audited statements, for 2021: total expenses 1,786,154. Tangible capital asset note: roads, additions during 2021, 88,531. Worked out by us, the July 2026 award is more than double that year's road additions.
Financial Report, December 31, 2021 · PDF page 8 (Statement of Operations, Total expenses) and PDF page 23 (note 12, Roads row)
2022the year of the newest tender listed on the RFP and Tenders page
A request for quotes is how a municipality asks contractors to price a job. The 2026 minutes and agendas name several: the Grant Road repair, sand shed repairs (a quote for $85,500.00 was approved on April 13) and a Winter Sand RFQ on the September 2 agenda. The Municipality's RFP and Tenders page lists two items, both gravel tenders from 2022, and nothing newer.
Publishing who was asked, who bid and who won is how residents can see that public money was spent at a fair price.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The RFP and Tenders page lists "2022 Gravel Tenders": "2022-03- Municipality of Charlton and Dack" and "2022-04- Township of Chamberlain". No other item is listed.
Municipality of Charlton and Dack, RFP and Tenders page · whole page, read October 7, 2026
Agenda of September 2, 2026, item 6.2: "Winter Sand RFQ -Motion".
Council Agenda, September 2, 2026 · page 1, item 6.2
Minutes of July 6, 2026, item 6.2 Grant Rd Repair RFQ: awarded to Curran Contracting in the amount of $238,000.
Council Meeting Minutes, July 6, 2026 · page 2, item 6.2
Resolution 26-39b: "That Council approves quote from Carved in stone in the amount of $85,500.00 for Sand Shed repairs." "carried"
Council Meeting Minutes, April 13, 2026 · page 2, resolution 26-39b
$20,000approximate bill for "extras" at the Charlton water plant by February 2, 2026
On February 2, 2026, staff told council that both lift pumps (the pumps that move water through the plant) at the Charlton water plant were having issues, although both were less than a year old, and that a bill for "extras" of approx. $20,000 had already come in for 2026. Staff were to meet the local MPP about the rising costs of running the plant. On June 1, council raised the charge for vacant lots on the water system from $50 to $75 and user fees for Charlton water system users by $50 each. A Charlton Water Plant report is listed as an attachment on the September 2 agenda, and we could not read it.
A small water system is paid for by the few households connected to it. If its costs rise, those households pay more. The Municipality's own 2021 statements show a very small saved balance for the Charlton water system.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Minutes of February 2, 2026, item 6.1: "issues at Water Plant in Charlton, both lift pumps are having issues and both are less than a year old. Also we have received a bill for "extras" of approx.. $20,000 already for 2026" and "staff to arrange meeting with MPP to discuss rising costs of operating/maintaining the plant".
Council Meeting Minutes, February 2, 2026 · page 2, item 6.1 Public Works Report
Minutes of June 1, 2026, item 8.2: water charges for vacant lots from $50 to $75, and user fees for Charlton water system users up by $50 each (motion 26-71).
Council Meeting Minutes, June 1, 2026 · page 2, item 8.2
Agenda of September 2, 2026, item 6.4: "Charlton Water Plant (attachment)". The attachment is not in the posted file.
Council Agenda, September 2, 2026 · page 1, item 6.4
Context from the 2021 statements, note 13, special purpose reserves: "Charlton water" 3,049 at the end of 2021 (6,038 at the end of 2020).
Financial Report, December 31, 2021 · PDF page 24, note 13 Accumulated Surplus
+53%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Charlton-Dack spent $187K on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $287K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +18% | +1% |
| 2021 | +19% | +4% |
| 2022 | +20% | +11% |
| 2023 | +24% | +16% |
| 2024 | +43% | +18% |
| 2025 | +53% | +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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $187K, 2020 $221K, 2021 $223K, 2022 $226K, 2023 $231K, 2024 $268K, 2025 $287K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: The dump (landfill), from $18,172 to $74,583.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$85,500.00repair quote approved on April 13, 2026 and rescinded on May 4 after the fire
On April 13, 2026 council approved a quote of $85,500.00 from Carved in Stone for sand shed repairs. On May 4 the public works report said a plow truck caught fire, which damaged the sand shed, and that insurance was now involved. That day council rescinded (cancelled) the April approval "as the asset has since been damaged in a fire". The July 6 minutes say sand shed quotes were being obtained, and a Winter Sand RFQ is on the September 2 agenda. We did not find what the new repair will cost or what insurance will pay.
A fire is an insured loss, so the final cost to taxpayers depends on the claim. The shed stores road sand and salt for winter, so the timing of the repair matters before snow.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Minutes of April 13, 2026, item 7.1 (motion 26-39b): "That Council approves quote from Carved in stone in the amount of $85,500.00 for Sand Shed repairs."
Council Meeting Minutes, April 13, 2026 · page 2, item 7.1
Minutes of May 4, 2026, item 6.1: "plow truck caught fire, resulting in damage to the sand shed. Insurance is now involved." Item 10 (motion 26-62): "THAT Council hereby rescinds Resolution 26-39b regarding sand shed repairs, as the asset has since been damaged in a fire."
Council Meeting Minutes, May 4, 2026 · page 1, item 6.1, and page 4, item 10
Minutes of July 6, 2026, item 6.1: "Sand Shed quotes being obtained".
Council Meeting Minutes, July 6, 2026 · page 2, item 6.1 Public Works Report
$28,798landfill liability at December 31, 2021, described as unfunded
A landfill must be capped and watched for years after it closes, and the cost is counted as a debt that builds up as the site fills. The 2021 statements record a landfill closure and post-closure liability of $28,798, out of an estimated future total of $100,431. The note says the liability "is currently unfunded and is expected to be funded through budget allocations to a landfill reserve". The list of reserves in note 13 has no landfill reserve. The statements for later years are not posted, so we could not check whether one has been started.
If the site closes without savings set aside, the cost lands on whoever pays taxes then. The amounts are small now, but they grow as the site fills.
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 Charlton-Dack? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 11: "The recorded liability is $28,798 (2020 - $21,545) based on a total estimated liability in the future of $100,431 (2020 - $94,753)" and "The liability is currently unfunded and is expected to be funded through budget allocations to a landfill reserve over the remaining life of the landfill."
Financial Report, December 31, 2021 · PDF page 22, note 11 Landfill Closure and Post-Closure
Note 13, special purpose reserves at the end of 2021 include Bradley subdivision water 2,333, Cemetery 32,204, Fire department 40,186, Working capital 439,608 and a total of 600,400. No landfill reserve is listed.
Financial Report, December 31, 2021 · PDF page 24, note 13 Accumulated Surplus