Questions · 10 so far
We read Grey Highlands' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 89 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$137per home on council, 2024
Grey Highlands spent about $137 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $51. Only 8 of 89 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.
$164.4 millionten-year funding gap for tax-funded services at the benchmark level, against $36.5 million at the level the Municipality proposed
An asset management plan is a town's plan for keeping roads, bridges, buildings and vehicles in working order. Grey Highlands' 2025 plan, prepared by Hemson Consulting, values the Municipality's assets at $885.0 million (in 2025 dollars). It shows a ten-year "benchmark" gap of about $164.4 million between what tax-funded services need ($245.8 million) and the funding in place ($81.4 million). Closing it would take a tax levy increase of about 20%. The plan also shows a smaller gap of about $36.5 million to reach a lower "proposed level of service", which would take about 4.5% ($810,000) more levy a year. Staff recommended the 4.5% option, and the Mayor's 2026 draft budget builds it in. The plan also says water and wastewater rates would need to rise by about 5.5% a year.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$8,164,000of bridge capital work the 2023 inspection report puts within one year, out of a ten-year total of $19,196,000
In February 2024 staff gave Council the 2023 bridge inspection report. It says only 47.9% of the Municipality's structures are in good condition, and that capital work (repairs, rehabilitation and replacement done by a contractor) would cost $8,164,000 within a year, $6,622,500 over one to five years and $4,409,500 over six to ten years, for a total of $19,196,000. Staff wrote that the bridge operating budget was $42,200 a year and that the funding deficit should be addressed now. The Mayor's 2026 draft budget includes $2.45 million for bridge replacement, repair and engineering. The pages we read do not show how much of the $8,164,000 list was done in 2024 and 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$20,151,616approved 2026 levy, with a blended tax increase of 5.9%
The levy is the amount raised from property taxes. The Mayor's January 2026 draft proposed a total levy of $20,274,116 and a blended tax rate increase of 6.3%. The approved 2026 budget has a levy of $20,151,616 and a blended increase of 5.9%, which is $122,500 lower than the draft (worked out by us). The draft's capital levy starts from a base of $2,490,966 and adds the asset plan's 4.5% ($810,000) plus "an additional contribution of $238,732". The Hemson plan said the 2025 budget tax levy was $18.1 million, so a levy of $20,151,616 is about $2.05 million, or 11%, higher (worked out by us), which is more than the 5.9% rate increase. We did not find the Municipality's explanation of the difference, and the budget documents are on a portal we could not open.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+13%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, Grey Highlands collected $1.8M more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 13% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 9 of 89 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 8% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 1.8%.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 4 sources
+60%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2024
Grey Highlands spent $2.4M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $3.9M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$3,258per home on long-term debt, 2024
Grey Highlands spent about $3,258 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $1,201. Only 9 of 89 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
1 vetoof a council amendment in the 2026 budget (Road 170 gravel conversion, $163,019); override window cut from 15 days to 4
Under Ontario's strong mayor rules the Mayor writes the budget, council can amend it within 30 days, and the Mayor can veto amendments. Council can then override a veto. The Municipality's draft budget release says the override period is 15 days and that "Grey Highlands Council opted to shorten" it to 4 days. In the approved budget release, the Mayor vetoed one council amendment: to downgrade Road 170 to a gravel surface at a cost of $163,019. On February 18, 2026 Council did not get the vote needed to override, so Road 170 stays a hard surface and the budget was deemed approved.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
−$3.2Mnet financial position, 2024
In 2019, Grey Highlands had $2.5M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$3.2M. About 34% of that change ($2.0M) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 12 of 89 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$507per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2024
Grey Highlands spent about $507 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2024. The typical similar town spent $153. None of the 89 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$137per home on council, 2024
Grey Highlands spent about $137 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $51. Only 8 of 89 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. How to reach council.
Speak for Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Council per home: Grey Highlands $137; typical similar town $51; ranked 9th highest of 90.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 89 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$164.4 millionten-year funding gap for tax-funded services at the benchmark level, against $36.5 million at the level the Municipality proposed
An asset management plan is a town's plan for keeping roads, bridges, buildings and vehicles in working order. Grey Highlands' 2025 plan, prepared by Hemson Consulting, values the Municipality's assets at $885.0 million (in 2025 dollars). It shows a ten-year "benchmark" gap of about $164.4 million between what tax-funded services need ($245.8 million) and the funding in place ($81.4 million). Closing it would take a tax levy increase of about 20%. The plan also shows a smaller gap of about $36.5 million to reach a lower "proposed level of service", which would take about 4.5% ($810,000) more levy a year. Staff recommended the 4.5% option, and the Mayor's 2026 draft budget builds it in. The plan also says water and wastewater rates would need to rise by about 5.5% a year.
The plan sets how much road, bridge and building upkeep the Municipality aims to afford. The lower option holds the tax increase down, but residents can ask what service is accepted in exchange, such as which roads or buildings get less repair.
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 Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"The Municipality's Asset Portfolio is Extensive and Valued at $885.0 Million" (replacement cost in 2025 dollars). About 22% ($191.8 million) of assets are rated poor or very poor, and about 25% ($223.8 million) fair.
2025 Asset Management Plan: Council Information Session, Draft Results (Hemson Consulting, May 28, 2025) · PDF pages 4 and 5 (slides 3 and 4)
"Benchmark Funding Gap for Tax Funded Services Totals about $164.4 million". Ten-year total need $245.8 M, ten-year funding $81.4 M. "2025 Estimated tax supported capital funding contribution = $3.2 million". "Closing the gap by the end of the 10-year period would require a tax levy increase equal to about 20%", or "$3.7 million in 2026 and onward". The slide notes the "2025 budget tax levy amounts to $18.1 million".
2025 Asset Management Plan: Council Information Session, Draft Results (Hemson Consulting, May 28, 2025) · PDF page 11 (slide 10)
"Funding Gap to Meet Proposed Level of Service Totals about $36.5 million for Tax Funded Services". "10-Year lifecycle costs to meet proposed levels of service totals about $117.8 million". "Closing the gap by the end of the 10-year period would require a tax levy increase equal to about 4.5%", or "$810,000 in 2026 and onward". For water and wastewater: "Proposed Rate Increases of about 5.5% per Year to Meet Proposed Levels of Service".
2025 Asset Management Plan: Council Information Session, Draft Results (Hemson Consulting, May 28, 2025) · PDF pages 13 and 15 (slides 12 and 14)
The staff report says of the financing recommendation: "This represents a levy increase of 4.5% in the 2026 budget." It also says: "In the 2025 Budget, Council approved an increase to the capital tax levy of $964,534 or 6.2%".
Report FIN.25.07, 2025 Asset Management Plan (June 18, 2025) · Staff report, PDF pages 2 and 3
$8,164,000of bridge capital work the 2023 inspection report puts within one year, out of a ten-year total of $19,196,000
In February 2024 staff gave Council the 2023 bridge inspection report. It says only 47.9% of the Municipality's structures are in good condition, and that capital work (repairs, rehabilitation and replacement done by a contractor) would cost $8,164,000 within a year, $6,622,500 over one to five years and $4,409,500 over six to ten years, for a total of $19,196,000. Staff wrote that the bridge operating budget was $42,200 a year and that the funding deficit should be addressed now. The Mayor's 2026 draft budget includes $2.45 million for bridge replacement, repair and engineering. The pages we read do not show how much of the $8,164,000 list was done in 2024 and 2025.
A bridge that is closed or load-limited cuts off roads, farms and emergency routes. Residents can ask whether the money matches the engineers' list, and what is being deferred.
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 Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Capital Works Costs and Timeframes": less than 1 year $8,164,000; 1 - 5 years $6,622,500; 6 - 10 years $4,409,500; Total $19,196,000. "Within the next year, eight structures have been identified as requiring rehabilitation and six structures have been identified for replacement." "Burnside has noted that it may not be feasible to complete all of the capital work requirements within the recommended timeframe." The report adds that "The municipality currently has 8 bridges with load postings" and that current roadside safety needs cost an estimated $2,549,000.
Report TPS.24.04, 2023 Municipal Bridge Inspection Report (February 21, 2024) · Staff report, PDF pages 1 to 3
The Financial Impact section says the Municipality's Asset Management Plan, based on 2018/2019 inspection data, identified a total replacement cost of $68.1 million with an annual funding deficit of $1.0 million (worked across two PDF pages). "The updated total replacement cost based on 2022/2023 inspections is $82.4 million." "The current operating budget for bridges totals $42,200". The report says "Addressing the funding deficient for bridge replacement and rehabilitation now is essential".
Report TPS.24.04, 2023 Municipal Bridge Inspection Report (February 21, 2024) · Staff report, Financial Impact, PDF pages 3 and 4 (the $82.4 million and $42,200 are on page 4; checked by eye on renders at 150 and 220 dpi)
The Mayor's 2026 draft capital program lists "$2.45 million in bridge replacement, repair, and engineering" among its items.
Media release: Grey Highlands releases 2026 Draft Budget (January 5, 2026) · 2026 capital program list
$20,151,616approved 2026 levy, with a blended tax increase of 5.9%
The levy is the amount raised from property taxes. The Mayor's January 2026 draft proposed a total levy of $20,274,116 and a blended tax rate increase of 6.3%. The approved 2026 budget has a levy of $20,151,616 and a blended increase of 5.9%, which is $122,500 lower than the draft (worked out by us). The draft's capital levy starts from a base of $2,490,966 and adds the asset plan's 4.5% ($810,000) plus "an additional contribution of $238,732". The Hemson plan said the 2025 budget tax levy was $18.1 million, so a levy of $20,151,616 is about $2.05 million, or 11%, higher (worked out by us), which is more than the 5.9% rate increase. We did not find the Municipality's explanation of the difference, and the budget documents are on a portal we could not open.
Residents see the rate increase on their bill. The levy and the rate differ because new buildings add to the tax base. Residents can ask what part of the rise is growth, what part is higher rates, and what the extra $238,732 for capital is for.
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 Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"The draft proposes a total levy of $20,274,116 for 2026, representing a blended rate increase of 6.3%." "The capital levy calculation references a base 2025 capital levy of $2,490,966, adding 4.5% ($810,000) per the Asset Management Plan, with an additional contribution of $238,732."
Media release: Grey Highlands releases 2026 Draft Budget (January 5, 2026) · Release body: levy paragraph and capital levy paragraph
"The approved 2026 Budget includes a total municipal levy of $20,151,616 and represents an overall blended tax increase of 5.9%."
Media release: Grey Highlands Approves 2026 Budget Following Strong Mayor Process (February 20, 2026) · Release body, second paragraph
Slide notes: "2025 budget tax levy amounts to $18.1 million." The slide on the proposed level of service adds that closing the gap "would require a tax levy increase equal to about 4.5%", or "$810,000 in 2026 and onward".
2025 Asset Management Plan: Council Information Session, Draft Results (Hemson Consulting, May 28, 2025) · PDF pages 11 and 13 (slide notes)
+13%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, Grey Highlands collected $1.8M more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 13% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 9 of 89 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 8% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 1.8%.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $10.9M |
| 2020 | $11.8M |
| 2021 | $12M |
| 2022 | $13.3M |
| 2023 | $14.2M |
| 2024 | $16M |
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 $443 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 Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $14,203,387 in 2023, $16,013,903 in 2024.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 89 similar Ontario towns: 7.3%. Grey Highlands ranks 10th highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 89 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Residential tax rate (town share): 0.684% in 2023, 0.737% in 2024. Residential assessment: $1.7B to $1.7B.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 22, residential (RT) · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.4% over the same year.
+60%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2024
Grey Highlands spent $2.4M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $3.9M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +4% | +1% |
| 2021 | +24% | +4% |
| 2022 | +39% | +11% |
| 2023 | +66% | +16% |
| 2024 | +60% | +18% |
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 Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $2.4M, 2020 $2.5M, 2021 $3.0M, 2022 $3.4M, 2023 $4.0M, 2024 $3.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Garbage pickup, from $447K to $969K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$3,258per home on long-term debt, 2024
Grey Highlands spent about $3,258 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $1,201. Only 9 of 89 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. How to reach council.
Speak for Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Long-term debt per home: Grey Highlands $3,258; typical similar town $1,201; ranked 10th highest of 90.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 89 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
1 vetoof a council amendment in the 2026 budget (Road 170 gravel conversion, $163,019); override window cut from 15 days to 4
Under Ontario's strong mayor rules the Mayor writes the budget, council can amend it within 30 days, and the Mayor can veto amendments. Council can then override a veto. The Municipality's draft budget release says the override period is 15 days and that "Grey Highlands Council opted to shorten" it to 4 days. In the approved budget release, the Mayor vetoed one council amendment: to downgrade Road 170 to a gravel surface at a cost of $163,019. On February 18, 2026 Council did not get the vote needed to override, so Road 170 stays a hard surface and the budget was deemed approved.
A shorter window lets a budget be finished sooner, but it also gives council members less time to weigh a veto and talk to residents. Residents can see how the new powers worked in practice.
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 Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Under O. Reg. 530/22, the Mayor prepares and proposes the annual municipal budget, initiating a statutory process which includes a 30-day review/amendment period, a 10 day Mayoral veto window, and a 15 day member override period, which Grey Highlands Council opted to shorten to 4 days."
Media release: Grey Highlands releases 2026 Draft Budget (January 5, 2026) · Release body, strong mayor paragraph
"The vetoed amendment proposed that Capital Item 2026-23 — Road 170 (WBL to Durham Road B) be downgraded to a gravel surface at a cost of $163,019." "At the February 18, 2026 Council meeting, Council had the opportunity to override the Mayor's veto with a majority vote but did not achieve the required majority to override the Mayor's veto." "As a result, Road 170 will remain a hard surface".
Media release: Grey Highlands Approves 2026 Budget Following Strong Mayor Process (February 20, 2026) · Release body, veto paragraphs
−$3.2Mnet financial position, 2024
In 2019, Grey Highlands had $2.5M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$3.2M. About 34% of that change ($2.0M) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 12 of 89 similar towns are in a weaker position.
| Year | Net financial position |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $2.5M |
| 2020 | $2.1M |
| 2021 | −$894K |
| 2022 | −$988K |
| 2023 | −$6.6M |
| 2024 | −$3.2M |
This number is one of the clearest signs of whether a town is living within its means. The accounting-rule part is a bill that will come due when the landfill closes, not money already spent. The rest is real borrowing and spending of savings.
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 Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Net financial assets: 2019 $2.5M, 2020 $2.1M, 2021 −$894K, 2022 −$988K, 2023 −$6.6M, 2024 −$3.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 9945 · archived copy
Future landfill and similar closing costs recorded: $2.0M. Long-term debt: $13.3M. Temporary loans: $853K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, lines 2920, 2699, 2099 · archived copy
$507per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2024
Grey Highlands spent about $507 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2024. The typical similar town spent $153. None of the 89 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. How to reach council.
Speak for Grey Highlands? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Garbage, dump and recycling per home: Grey Highlands $507; typical similar town $153; ranked 1st highest of 90.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 89 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy