Questions · 4 so far
These questions come automatically from Dutton-Dunwich's yearly financial reports to the Province, compared with 51 similar Ontario towns. Nobody has read this town's budget or minutes for this site yet, so there may be good explanations we have not seen.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$2.9Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Dutton-Dunwich had $2.9M saved at the end of 2024, up from $1.5M in 2019. That is 26% of one year's spending. Only 3 of 51 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$925per home on council, 2024
Dutton-Dunwich spent about $925 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $66. None of the 51 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
+14%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, Dutton-Dunwich collected $702K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 14% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 6 of 51 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 10% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 1.2%.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 4 sources
$2,672per home on long-term debt, 2024
Dutton-Dunwich spent about $2,672 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $465. Only 6 of 51 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$2.9Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Dutton-Dunwich had $2.9M saved at the end of 2024, up from $1.5M in 2019. That is 26% of one year's spending. Only 3 of 51 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $1.5M |
| 2020 | $1.5M |
| 2021 | $2.1M |
| 2022 | $2.4M |
| 2023 | $2.6M |
| 2024 | $2.9M |
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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for Dutton-Dunwich? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $1.5M, 2020 $1.5M, 2021 $2.1M, 2022 $2.4M, 2023 $2.6M, 2024 $2.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 80% of a year's spending. Dutton-Dunwich: 26%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 51 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$925per home on council, 2024
Dutton-Dunwich spent about $925 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $66. None of the 51 similar towns 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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for Dutton-Dunwich? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Council per home: Dutton-Dunwich $925; typical similar town $66; ranked 1st highest of 52.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 51 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
+14%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, Dutton-Dunwich collected $702K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 14% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 6 of 51 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 10% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 1.2%.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $4.4M |
| 2020 | $4.3M |
| 2021 | $4.7M |
| 2022 | $4.5M |
| 2023 | $4.9M |
| 2024 | $5.6M |
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 $418 more each year.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for Dutton-Dunwich? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $4,938,214 in 2023, $5,639,906 in 2024.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 51 similar Ontario towns: 7.6%. Dutton-Dunwich ranks 7th highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 51 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Residential tax rate (town share): 0.893% in 2023, 0.980% in 2024. Residential assessment: $386M to $390M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 22, residential (RT) · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.4% over the same year.
$2,672per home on long-term debt, 2024
Dutton-Dunwich spent about $2,672 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $465. Only 6 of 51 similar towns 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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for Dutton-Dunwich? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Long-term debt per home: Dutton-Dunwich $2,672; typical similar town $465; ranked 7th highest of 52.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 51 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy