Questions · 12 so far
We read Clarence-Rockland's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 23 similar Ontario places. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+8%city property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, Clarence-Rockland collected $2.3M more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 2 of 23 similar places raised theirs by more.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 3 sources
+102%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Clarence-Rockland spent $4.0M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $8.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 2 of 23 similar places had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 3 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
2 yearsin a row the report uses both "present fairly" and "Qualified Opinion", with no reason given
An auditor's report tells residents whether the City's statements can be trusted. A clean report says the statements "present fairly" the City's finances. A qualified report says they do, except for a named problem, and it must say what the problem is. In both the 2025 and 2024 reports, one paragraph says the statements "present fairly", and the next paragraph says the evidence is enough for the auditor's "Qualified Opinion". No paragraph in either report says what is qualified. The French side of each report says the same ("opinion avec réserve"). We did not find an explanation on the pages we read.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$8,987,885accounts receivable at December 31, 2025, against $2,895,714 a year earlier
"Accounts receivable" is money other people or governments owe the City at year end. It is separate from unpaid property taxes and unpaid water, sewer and waste bills, which the statements list on their own lines and which barely moved (taxes receivable $3,885,918; user charges receivable $2,160,399). The accounts receivable line more than tripled in one year. The cash flow statement shows the increase as $6,092,171. We did not find a note or budget page that explains what the line is made of. In the same year, provincial money for capital projects was $5,729,812 against $1,371,187 the year before, which may be related, but the statements do not say so.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$1,564,714interest and penalties on taxes in 2025, against $380,000 in the 2026 budget
A budget is the City's plan for the year. In 2025 the statements show "Interest and penalties on taxes" (charges on late tax payments) of $1,564,714 against a budget of $462,780, and "Interest income" of $1,077,085 against $309,735. Together with "Other income" of $573,303 against $14,000, the general "Other revenues" line came in at $5,448,170 against a budget of $2,369,264. The 2026 budget keeps the two lines at $380,000 and $269,370, the same as its 2025 budget page shows. The budget pages do not say why.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 2 sources
$44,835,6912025 capital budget, against $19,933,956 spent on capital assets
Capital spending is money for things that last, such as pipes, roads and buildings. The 2025 capital budget schedule totals $44,835,691, including $6,278,302 to be borrowed. The cash flow statement shows $19,933,956 spent on buying capital assets and $742,233 of new borrowing. Even counting assets that were handed to the City (contributed), note 7 shows additions of $25,766,705, which is about 57% of the budget (worked out by us). One watermain project, "New watermain: Caron booster station to 2 km South of Baseline Road", is $22,261,418 of the budget. The statements' own budget note lists capital expenses of $12,856,523, not $44,835,691, and we do not know why the two differ.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$10,364,419to be borrowed under the 2026 capital budget of $40,057,973
The 2026 capital budget is $40,057,973. Of that, $10,364,419 is to be paid for with debt (loans). The largest piece is project PL2608, "Land purchase and design of the sports center", at $6,365,000, of which $6,065,000 is debt. Another $1,100,000 for "Land acquisition" has $650,000 of debt. The Phase 2 St-Jean Street rebuild is $15,010,000, with $3,010,619 of debt. The City's loans stood at $32,809,719 at December 31, 2025. The statements show $27,577,007 of contract payments due in 2026, against about $4 million a year after that. The City's 2026 debt payments are budgeted at $2,669,800, up from $2,404,816. The budget pages are tables and do not give a repayment plan.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 5 sources
$218,671sewer operating deficit at December 31, 2025, up from $46,422
Sewer service is paid for by sewer charges, not by property tax. At December 31, 2025, the sewer operating fund stood at a deficit of $218,671, up from $46,422 a year earlier, while the other operating funds were in surplus. The 2026 budget sets sewer revenue and costs equal at $4,041,205, and the "Contribution to reserves" line for sewers is blank. Water, by contrast, puts $1,491,879 into reserves. Sewer reserves were $1,451,910. The City's biggest loan for sewers is $9,986,878.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 6 sources
+56%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Clarence-Rockland spent $6.5M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $10.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 2 sources
$26.1Min savings at the end of 2025
Places keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Clarence-Rockland had $26.1M saved at the end of 2025, up from $12.3M in 2019. That is 56% of one year's spending. Only 3 of 23 similar places had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$38,639,420cash at December 31, 2025, against $32,809,719 of long-term loans
At December 31, 2025 the City held $38,639,420 in cash, nearly double the $20,370,238 a year before. Its investments fell from $16,465,997 to $6,149,375 as Guaranteed Investment Certificates (fixed-term savings) matured; the cash flow statement shows $10,316,622 coming back from investments. The City also owed $32,809,719 in long-term loans and paid $1,252,294 in interest on its debt in 2025, while earning $1,077,085 in interest income. Much of the cash is not free to spend: deferred revenue (money received for a set purpose) was $18,507,351, including $12,865,803 of development charges and $4,241,225 of transfer payments. The statements explain the rise in cash, so this is context, not a gap.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 5 sources
$244per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2025
Clarence-Rockland spent about $244 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2025. The typical similar city spent $84. Only 2 of 23 similar places spent more.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 1 source
+8%city property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, Clarence-Rockland collected $2.3M more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. Only 2 of 23 similar places raised theirs by more.
| Year | City property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.7M |
| 2020 | $21.4M |
| 2021 | $22.8M |
| 2022 | $23.9M |
| 2023 | $25.6M |
| 2024 | $27.5M |
| 2025 | $29.9M |
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 $203 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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
City property tax: $27,531,876 in 2024, $29,866,092 in 2025.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 23 similar Ontario places: 7.3%. Clarence-Rockland ranks 3rd highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 23 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.1% over the same year.
+102%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Clarence-Rockland spent $4.0M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $8.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 2 of 23 similar places had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −7% | +1% |
| 2021 | −3% | +4% |
| 2022 | +31% | +11% |
| 2023 | +72% | +16% |
| 2024 | +92% | +18% |
| 2025 | +102% | +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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $4.0M, 2020 $3.7M, 2021 $3.9M, 2022 $5.2M, 2023 $6.9M, 2024 $7.7M, 2025 $8.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $1.5M to $4.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar places: 74%. Clarence-Rockland ranks 3rd of 24.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 23 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
2 yearsin a row the report uses both "present fairly" and "Qualified Opinion", with no reason given
An auditor's report tells residents whether the City's statements can be trusted. A clean report says the statements "present fairly" the City's finances. A qualified report says they do, except for a named problem, and it must say what the problem is. In both the 2025 and 2024 reports, one paragraph says the statements "present fairly", and the next paragraph says the evidence is enough for the auditor's "Qualified Opinion". No paragraph in either report says what is qualified. The French side of each report says the same ("opinion avec réserve"). We did not find an explanation on the pages we read.
Residents, lenders and the Province rely on this one page. If the opinion is clean, the word "Qualified" is most likely a wording slip worth correcting. If it is qualified, residents should be told what the auditor could not confirm.
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: The auditor's communications to Council on the 2025 and 2024 audits, with wording you can copy.
Independent Auditor's Report on the 2025 statements: "In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Corporation as at December 31, 2025". Under "Basis for Opinion": "We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our Qualified Opinion." The French column ends the same paragraph «pour fonder notre opinion avec réserve.» [“to base our qualified opinion”]. The report is dated May 26, 2026.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF page 4 (printed page 3); date on PDF page 6 (printed page 5)
The same report says under "Supplementary Financial Information": "We have not audited, reviewed or otherwise attempted to verify the accuracy or completeness of the schedule on page of the Corporation's consolidated financial statements." The page number is blank in both the English and French columns.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF page 6 (printed page 5)
Independent Auditor's Report on the 2024 statements, same firm, dated May 22, 2025: "In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects" and, under "Basis for Opinion", "sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our Qualified Opinion." French: «pour fonder notre opinion avec réserve.» [“to base our qualified opinion”]. The blank-page sentence on the unaudited schedule is also in the 2024 report.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF page 4 (printed page 3); date and blank-page sentence on PDF page 6
$8,987,885accounts receivable at December 31, 2025, against $2,895,714 a year earlier
"Accounts receivable" is money other people or governments owe the City at year end. It is separate from unpaid property taxes and unpaid water, sewer and waste bills, which the statements list on their own lines and which barely moved (taxes receivable $3,885,918; user charges receivable $2,160,399). The accounts receivable line more than tripled in one year. The cash flow statement shows the increase as $6,092,171. We did not find a note or budget page that explains what the line is made of. In the same year, provincial money for capital projects was $5,729,812 against $1,371,187 the year before, which may be related, but the statements do not say so.
A receivable is money the City has counted as earned but has not yet collected. When the amount grows this fast, residents should know who owes it and whether it has been paid since December 31, 2025.
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Breakdown of accounts receivable at December 31, 2025, with wording you can copy.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, December 31, 2025 (2024 in brackets): "Accounts receivable" ["Débiteurs"] 8,987,885 (2,895,714). "User charges receivable" 2,160,399 (2,100,738). "Taxes receivable" 3,885,918 (3,953,252).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7 (printed page 6)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: "(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable" [«(Augmentation) diminution des débiteurs»] (6,092,171) in 2025, 1,888,180 in 2024.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, PDF page 10 (printed page 9)
Consolidated Statement of Operations, "Government transfers related to tangible capital assets", "Province of Ontario": 2025 budget 1,376,311, actual 5,729,812 (2024 actual 1,371,187).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 8 (printed page 7)
$1,564,714interest and penalties on taxes in 2025, against $380,000 in the 2026 budget
A budget is the City's plan for the year. In 2025 the statements show "Interest and penalties on taxes" (charges on late tax payments) of $1,564,714 against a budget of $462,780, and "Interest income" of $1,077,085 against $309,735. Together with "Other income" of $573,303 against $14,000, the general "Other revenues" line came in at $5,448,170 against a budget of $2,369,264. The 2026 budget keeps the two lines at $380,000 and $269,370, the same as its 2025 budget page shows. The budget pages do not say why.
When revenue is planned low, the City can end the year ahead and tax rates may be set higher than the plan needed. Planned low on purpose is a common practice and may reflect caution, but residents should be able to see that it is a choice.
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 6, Other Revenues, "General" (budget, 2025 actual, 2024 actual): "Interest and penalties on taxes" 462,780, 1,564,714, 638,551. "Interest income" 309,735, 1,077,085, 1,285,493. "Other income" 14,000, 573,303, 66,104. Total 2,369,264, 5,448,170, 3,751,970.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 6, Other Revenues, PDF page 19 (printed page 18)
Schedule A, corporate revenues and expenses (2025 budget, 2026 budget): "Pénalités et intérêts sur les taxes / Penalties and interest on taxes" 380 000, 380 000. "Revenus d'investissements / Investment Income" 269 370, 269 370.
City of Clarence-Rockland, 2026 Budget, Schedule A · Sommaire revenus et dépenses corporatifs / Summary corporate revenues and expenses, PDF page 2
$44,835,6912025 capital budget, against $19,933,956 spent on capital assets
Capital spending is money for things that last, such as pipes, roads and buildings. The 2025 capital budget schedule totals $44,835,691, including $6,278,302 to be borrowed. The cash flow statement shows $19,933,956 spent on buying capital assets and $742,233 of new borrowing. Even counting assets that were handed to the City (contributed), note 7 shows additions of $25,766,705, which is about 57% of the budget (worked out by us). One watermain project, "New watermain: Caron booster station to 2 km South of Baseline Road", is $22,261,418 of the budget. The statements' own budget note lists capital expenses of $12,856,523, not $44,835,691, and we do not know why the two differ.
Capital budgets set how much the City plans to borrow and spend on growth. If less than half is spent, the plans may be moving to later years, which can mean the same borrowing and costs show up in the 2026 budget.
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule B, 2025 capital budget: "Total 2025" 44,835,691, of which "Dette / Debt" 6,278,302. Project WW2403 "New watermain: Caron booster station to 2 km South of Baseline Road" 22,261,418, of which "Autres / Other" 13,802,079.
City of Clarence-Rockland, Schedules A and B to the 2025 Budget By-law · Schedule B, Budget d'immobilisations / Capital Budget, PDF pages 15 and 16
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, 2025: "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" (19,933,956). "New long-term liabilities" 742,233. "Repayment of long-term liabilities" (2,489,984).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, PDF page 10 (printed page 9)
Note 12, Budget: the adjustments from the by-law to the statements list "Capital expenses" [«Dépenses en capital»] 12,856,523.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 12, Budget, PDF page 24 (printed page 23)
Note 7, Tangible Capital Assets, 2025 total: "Acquisition" 25,766,705. "Assets under construction" cost, beginning of year 8,722,302; end of year 12,872,844.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 7, Tangible Capital Assets, PDF page 20 (printed page 19)
$10,364,419to be borrowed under the 2026 capital budget of $40,057,973
The 2026 capital budget is $40,057,973. Of that, $10,364,419 is to be paid for with debt (loans). The largest piece is project PL2608, "Land purchase and design of the sports center", at $6,365,000, of which $6,065,000 is debt. Another $1,100,000 for "Land acquisition" has $650,000 of debt. The Phase 2 St-Jean Street rebuild is $15,010,000, with $3,010,619 of debt. The City's loans stood at $32,809,719 at December 31, 2025. The statements show $27,577,007 of contract payments due in 2026, against about $4 million a year after that. The City's 2026 debt payments are budgeted at $2,669,800, up from $2,404,816. The budget pages are tables and do not give a repayment plan.
Debt is paid back from future taxes, water and sewer rates, and development charges (fees on new buildings). A decision to borrow for land and design, before a building is approved, commits money for years.
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule B, 2026 capital budget (Total, Growth, Reserve funds, Grants, Other, Debt): PL2608 «Achat de terrain et conception du centre sportif» [“Land purchase and design of the sports center”] 6 365 000, 300 000, -, -, -, 6 065 000. BP2605 "Land acquisition" 1 100 000, debt 650 000. PL2402 "Phase 2 - St-Jean Street" 15 010 000, debt 3 010 619.
City of Clarence-Rockland, 2026 Budget, Schedule B (capital budget) · Budget d'immobilisations / Capital Budget, PDF page 13
Schedule B, "Total 2026" 40 057 973; Growth 6 011 542; Reserve funds 10 503 481; Grants 12 848 531; Other 330 000; "Dette / Debt" 10 364 419.
City of Clarence-Rockland, 2026 Budget, Schedule B (capital budget) · Budget d'immobilisations / Capital Budget, PDF page 14
Schedule A, corporate expenses, "Paiements de la dette / Debt Payments": 2025 budget 2 404 816, 2026 budget 2 669 800.
City of Clarence-Rockland, 2026 Budget, Schedule A · Sommaire revenus et dépenses corporatifs, PDF page 2
Note 13, Contractual Obligations: "The aggregate minimum annual payments for all contracts over the next five years": 2026 $27,577,007; 2027 $4,117,033; 2028 $4,015,825. Note 5, Net Long-Term Liabilities, total $32,809,719.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 13, Contractual Obligations, PDF page 25 (printed page 24); Note 5, PDF page 18 (printed page 17)
Note 4, Deferred Revenue, "Obligatory Reserve Funds", "Development charges" [«Redevances d'aménagement»] 12,865,803 at December 31, 2025 (2024: 12,533,899).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 4, Deferred Revenue, PDF page 16 (printed page 15)
$218,671sewer operating deficit at December 31, 2025, up from $46,422
Sewer service is paid for by sewer charges, not by property tax. At December 31, 2025, the sewer operating fund stood at a deficit of $218,671, up from $46,422 a year earlier, while the other operating funds were in surplus. The 2026 budget sets sewer revenue and costs equal at $4,041,205, and the "Contribution to reserves" line for sewers is blank. Water, by contrast, puts $1,491,879 into reserves. Sewer reserves were $1,451,910. The City's biggest loan for sewers is $9,986,878.
A reserve is savings for repairs and replacement. If sewer charges only cover running costs and nothing is saved, the next big repair is paid by borrowing or by a larger rate rise. The 2026 capital budget has $6,136,000 of sewer projects, including a $2,555,200 treatment plant upgrade.
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 11, Accumulated Surplus, "Surplus operating" (2025, 2024): "Égouts" [Sewer] (218,671), (46,422). "Adduction d'eau" [Waterworks] 260,016, 221,673. Reserves: Sewer 1,451,910 (1,087,713); Waterworks 7,775,807 (7,084,347).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 11, Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 23 (printed page 22)
Summary Sewer Services (2025 budget, 2026 budget): "Total revenues" 3 723 025, 4 041 205. "Contribution aux réserves / Contribution to reserves" -, -. Operating costs 3 723 025, 4 041 205.
City of Clarence-Rockland, 2026 Budget, Schedule A · Sommaire Services d'égout / Summary Sewer Services, PDF page 12
Summary Water Services (2025 budget, 2026 budget): "Contribution aux réserves / Contribution to reserves" 1 433 872, 1 491 879.
City of Clarence-Rockland, 2026 Budget, Schedule A · Sommaire Services d'eau / Summary Water Services, PDF page 11
Schedule B, 2026: "Total Égout sanitaire / Sewer" 6 136 000. SW2604 "UTEU : Modernisation – Phase 1 / WWTP: Upgrade Phase 1" 2 555 200.
City of Clarence-Rockland, 2026 Budget, Schedule B (capital budget) · Budget d'immobilisations / Capital Budget, PDF page 13
Note 5, Net Long-Term Liabilities: Infrastructure Ontario loan, 4.80%, monthly instalments of $68,153, maturing in 2044 "(Sewers)" [«(Égouts)»], balance 9,986,878 (2024: 10,316,707).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 5, Net Long-Term Liabilities, PDF page 17 (printed page 16)
Note 14, Segmented Information, 2025: "Eau et égouts / Water and Sewer" "Net surplus (deficit)" 7,112,576 (2024: 2,183,255); "Autres / Other" revenue 6,105,038.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 14, Segmented Information, PDF page 27 (printed page 26)
+56%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Clarence-Rockland spent $6.5M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $10.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −2% | +1% |
| 2021 | +11% | +4% |
| 2022 | +18% | +11% |
| 2023 | +13% | +16% |
| 2024 | +17% | +18% |
| 2025 | +56% | +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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $6.5M, 2020 $6.4M, 2021 $7.2M, 2022 $7.6M, 2023 $7.4M, 2024 $7.6M, 2025 $10.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Sewage treatment, from $889K to $2.8M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$26.1Min savings at the end of 2025
Places keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Clarence-Rockland had $26.1M saved at the end of 2025, up from $12.3M in 2019. That is 56% of one year's spending. Only 3 of 23 similar places had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.3M |
| 2020 | $18.2M |
| 2021 | $18.9M |
| 2022 | $20.8M |
| 2023 | $21.2M |
| 2024 | $21M |
| 2025 | $26.1M |
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $12.3M, 2020 $18.2M, 2021 $18.9M, 2022 $20.8M, 2023 $21.2M, 2024 $21M, 2025 $26.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar places: savings equal to 87% of a year's spending. Clarence-Rockland: 56%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 23 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$38,639,420cash at December 31, 2025, against $32,809,719 of long-term loans
At December 31, 2025 the City held $38,639,420 in cash, nearly double the $20,370,238 a year before. Its investments fell from $16,465,997 to $6,149,375 as Guaranteed Investment Certificates (fixed-term savings) matured; the cash flow statement shows $10,316,622 coming back from investments. The City also owed $32,809,719 in long-term loans and paid $1,252,294 in interest on its debt in 2025, while earning $1,077,085 in interest income. Much of the cash is not free to spend: deferred revenue (money received for a set purpose) was $18,507,351, including $12,865,803 of development charges and $4,241,225 of transfer payments. The statements explain the rise in cash, so this is context, not a gap.
Cash held for a purpose should not be mistaken for money available to cut taxes or fees. How much is free is the number residents need.
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Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (2025, 2024): "Cash" [«Encaisse»] 38,639,420, 20,370,238. "Investments" 6,149,375, 16,465,997. "Deferred revenue" 18,507,351, 14,519,609. "Net long-term liabilities" 32,809,719, 34,557,470.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7 (printed page 6)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, 2025: operating transactions 29,098,074; "Decrease (increase) in investments" 10,316,622; "Net increase in cash" 18,269,182.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, PDF page 10 (printed page 9)
Note 4, Deferred Revenue, 2025: "Development charges" 12,865,803. "Transfer payments" 4,241,225 (2024: 69,607).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 4, Deferred Revenue, PDF page 16 (printed page 15)
Note 8, Expenses by Object: "Interest on long-term debt" 1,252,294 (2024: 1,147,632).
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 8, Expenses by Object, PDF page 22 (printed page 21)
Note 6, Other Revenues, General: "Interest income" [«Revenus d'intérêts»] budget 309,735, 2025 actual 1,077,085, 2024 actual 1,285,493.
Corporation of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 6, Other Revenues, PDF page 19 (printed page 18)
$244per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2025
Clarence-Rockland spent about $244 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2025. The typical similar city spent $84. Only 2 of 23 similar places spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
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 Clarence-Rockland? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Garbage, dump and recycling per home: Clarence-Rockland $244; typical similar city $84; ranked 3rd highest of 24.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 23 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy