Questions · 4 so far
We read Harley's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 42 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$205Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2024
At the end of 2024, $205K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 19% of everything billed. Only 7 of 42 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $144K.
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.
On October 10, 2026 we checked the Township's home, Government, Asset Management Plan, Bids & Tenders, My Property, Online Payments and Contact Us pages. None of them links to audited financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement. The Government page does post council minutes and agendas, and a short list of by-laws.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 7 sources
+49%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Harley spent $398K on roads and snow in 2019 and $592K in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 6 of 42 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$560per home on snow ploughing, 2024
Harley spent about $560 per home on snow ploughing in 2024. The typical similar town spent $71. None of the 42 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$205Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2024
At the end of 2024, $205K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 19% of everything billed. Only 7 of 42 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $144K.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $197K |
| 2020 | $149K |
| 2021 | $155K |
| 2022 | $107K |
| 2023 | $144K |
| 2024 | $205K |
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 Harley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $197K, 2020 $149K, 2021 $155K, 2022 $107K, 2023 $144K, 2024 $205K. Of the 2024 total, $102K was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 11.4% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 42 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
On October 10, 2026 we checked the Township's home, Government, Asset Management Plan, Bids & Tenders, My Property, Online Payments and Contact Us pages. None of them links to audited financial statements, a budget or a council pay statement. The Government page does post council minutes and agendas, and a short list of by-laws.
Residents can only judge spending they can see. Without the statements and the budget online, a ratepayer cannot check what the Township took in, what it spent, or what it has saved, without asking the office.
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 Harley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The menu lists Asset Management Plan, Building, Cemetery, Community Safety, Fire Department, Landfill, Library, Livestock Evaluation, Online Payments, Planning and Recreation under Municipal Services, and Government, Elections 2026, Official Plan & Zoning By-Law, Bids & Tenders, My Property and Contact Us. It has no page named for a budget, financial statements or council pay. The news posts are about Thanksgiving office hours, acclaimed candidates, election information and online tax payments.
Home page (Township of Harley website) · Menu and news posts, checked October 10, 2026
The page names a Reeve, three councillors and a vacant seat, and lists the 2026 meeting dates. It lists minutes for 2019 to 2026 and agendas for 2025 and 2026, and three by-laws (user fees, animal control and littering). It lists no budget, financial statements or council pay statement.
Government page (Township of Harley website) · Council Members, Minutes, Agendas and By-Laws sections, checked October 10, 2026
The page lists two asset management plan documents, one titled for September 2025 and an older one. It lists no budget or financial statements.
Asset Management Plan page (Township of Harley website) · Whole page, checked October 10, 2026
The page says there are no open bids or tenders and points to outside procurement sites. It lists no budget or financial statements.
Bids & Tenders page (Township of Harley website) · Whole page, checked October 10, 2026
The page explains how to use the provincial assessment agency's MyProperty tool and links one school support form. It lists no budget or financial statements.
My Property page (Township of Harley website) · Whole page, checked October 10, 2026
The page explains how to pay by online banking and links one set of payment instructions. It lists no budget or financial statements.
Online Payments page (Township of Harley website) · Whole page, checked October 10, 2026
The page gives the office address, phone, email and hours, and the municipal staff. It lists no budget or financial statements.
Contact Us page (Township of Harley website) · Whole page, checked October 10, 2026
+49%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Harley spent $398K on roads and snow in 2019 and $592K in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 6 of 42 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +5% | +1% |
| 2021 | +3% | +4% |
| 2022 | +21% | +11% |
| 2023 | +15% | +16% |
| 2024 | +49% | +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 Harley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $398K, 2020 $419K, 2021 $410K, 2022 $481K, 2023 $457K, 2024 $592K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Roadsides and signs, from $162K to $265K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 13%. Harley ranks 7th of 43.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 42 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$560per home on snow ploughing, 2024
Harley spent about $560 per home on snow ploughing in 2024. The typical similar town spent $71. None of the 42 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 Harley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Harley $560; typical similar town $71; ranked 1st highest of 43.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 42 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy