Council BooksHead, Clara and MariaOntarioSign inSubscribe
Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Older reportDetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you
An older report. We have no 2024 report for Head, Clara and Maria in the Province's latest release, so these pages use its 2023 report. It may simply be filed late.
Read by hand. We read Head, Clara and Maria's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.

Questions · 9 so far

Things worth asking about

We read Head, Clara and Maria's financial reports and meeting minutes. These are the things that stood out.

What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking

Worth asking

There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.

Worth askingMoney health

Why is the adopted 2026 municipal tax levy of $600,194 higher than every option Council was shown in May 2026?

$600,194adopted 2026 general municipal taxation, against $574,097 in the 10% draft option

The levy is the part of the budget paid by property taxes. A draft budget table in the May 21, 2026 agenda package showed five choices for the levy: 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%, from $521,906 up to $574,097 for "General Municipal Taxation". At 10% the draft still needed $30,092 moved in from reserves (savings set aside) to balance. The budget bylaw, dated June 18, 2026, shows general municipal taxation of $600,194 and no matching reserve line. That is 15.0% above the 0% column (worked out by us), and $26,097 above the 10% column (worked out by us). We did not find a report that explains the choice.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources

Worth askingMoney health

How will the Township pay for $3,124,000 of expected landfill closure costs when it has reserved $243,260?

$3,124,000expected total landfill closure and care costs at the end of 2022, with $243,260 reserved

The Townships run three landfill sites (garbage dumps) and must pay to close them and look after them afterwards. The 2022 audited statements show a liability (a debt the Township owes in the future) of $421,000 "to date", against expected total costs of $3,124,000. The remaining $2,703,000 has not yet been counted as a cost. Most of it, $2,353,000, is for the Bisset Creek site, which is given 65 years of remaining life. The statements say the Townships "have reserved $243,260" for these costs. The 2026 budget carries $55,500 for site maintenance and monitoring and a $75,000 capital project for waste management.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Worth askingMoney health

How much will be left in reserves after the 2026 budget takes $339,020 from them?

$339,020planned transfers from reserves in the 2026 budget (worked out by us)

A reserve is money set aside for a named purpose. The adopted 2026 budget pays for part of its capital projects with three transfers from reserves: $150,000, $114,020 and $75,000, together $339,020 (worked out by us). The newest reserve balance we could read is from the 2022 audited statements: "Internally restricted reserves" of $1,373,561, with cash of $1,473,531. We could not find the balance since then.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources

Worth askingOpenness

Why do the Township's finance pages stop at 2022 for audited statements and 2019 for council pay?

2022newest year of audited statements posted on the Township's website

On October 13, 2026 the Financial Statements page listed 2022 as the newest audited statements. The Annual Council Expense Reports page listed only 2018 and 2019. The Budget page listed one file, a 2022 proposed budget. Yet newer documents exist: the March 24, 2026 Council agenda package carries the 2025 council pay statement, and the June 18, 2026 package carries the adopted 2026 budget. We did not find audited statements for 2023, 2024 or 2025 anywhere we looked.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources

Worth askingRising costs

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 142% in 4 years?

+142%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2023

Head, Clara and Maria spent $71,055 on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $172K in 2023. Prices only went up about 16% in that time.

Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources

Good to know

Good to know

Background that helps make sense of the rest.

Good to knowRising costs

Why did total council pay and expenses rise from $26,246.66 in 2019 to $45,317.70 in 2025, and what were the "2024 shortfalls"?

$45,317.70paid to Council in 2025 (honorariums and expenses), against $26,246.66 in 2019

The only council pay statements we could compare are for 2019 and 2025. The 2019 report to Council gives $26,246.66 for honorariums and expenses together, against $21,774.75 in 2018. The 2025 statement shows honorariums of $44,796.40 and expenses of $521.30, for a total of $45,317.70, a rise of 72.7% on 2019 (worked out by us). A footnote says the honorariums "also include 2024 shortfalls per Council working session March 20, 2025". We could not tell from the papers what the shortfalls were.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources

Good to knowHow decisions are made

How will the Township keep track of the work Council members do as volunteers under its new volunteer policy?

Aug. 8, 2026date the volunteer policy was on the Council agenda to be adopted

The August 8, 2026 Council agenda proposed Bylaw 2026-14, which adopts a Municipal Volunteer Engagement Policy. The policy says Council members who volunteer "must report to designated municipal staff and not act independently", must declare conflicts of interest, and must be supervised like any other volunteer. Staff are to give Council a yearly report on the number of volunteers and hours. The bylaw makes staff keep a register of approved volunteers. But the policy also says that when Council members take part in "collaborative governance activities" approved by Council or asked for by staff, they need no application or forms, and that these activities count as part of their official duties. The package we read is the agenda, so we do not know the vote.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Good to knowRecord-keeping

Why does the 2026 tax rates schedule show $691,510 of municipal taxation when the budget shows a levy of $600,194?

$691,510municipal ("Lower General") taxation on the 2026 tax rates schedule

Bylaw 2026-10 sets the 2026 tax rates. Its schedule, printed from the Province's tax-rate tool on June 9, 2026, shows total taxation for "Lower General" (the Township's own share, as opposed to the county and schools) of 691,510. The adopted budget shows "General Municipal Taxation" of 600,194 and "Payment In Lieu/Hydro Dam" of 196,816. The numbers are not the same measure, so the gap is not an error by itself. The papers do not show how they connect.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources

Good to knowMoney health

Why did government transfers come in $114,700 under budget in 2022 while "Other" revenue ran $58,380 over?

$114,700government transfers below budget in 2022 (worked out by us)

In 2022 the Township budgeted $325,683 in transfers from the Province and others and received $210,983, a shortfall of $114,700 (worked out by us). "Other" revenue was budgeted at $40,000 and came in at $98,380. Spending also came in under budget: expenses were $783,665 against $851,984 budgeted, and capital purchases were $194,683 against $341,550 budgeted. The year ended with an excess of revenue over expenses of $195,605 against a budgeted $162,529. The statements explain the capital gap: budgets for capital projects are set project by project and may be carried out over more than one year. They do not explain "Other".

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Each question in full

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

Why is the adopted 2026 municipal tax levy of $600,194 higher than every option Council was shown in May 2026?

$600,194adopted 2026 general municipal taxation, against $574,097 in the 10% draft option

The levy is the part of the budget paid by property taxes. A draft budget table in the May 21, 2026 agenda package showed five choices for the levy: 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%, from $521,906 up to $574,097 for "General Municipal Taxation". At 10% the draft still needed $30,092 moved in from reserves (savings set aside) to balance. The budget bylaw, dated June 18, 2026, shows general municipal taxation of $600,194 and no matching reserve line. That is 15.0% above the 0% column (worked out by us), and $26,097 above the 10% column (worked out by us). We did not find a report that explains the choice.

Why it matters

Council picks the levy, so residents are entitled to know why it went further than the options in front of it. A bigger levy may also mean the budget no longer leans on savings.

It could be because…

  • Council may have chosen a larger levy so that the 2026 budget balances without taking $30,092 or more from reserves.
  • The "0%" column may not equal the 2025 levy, so the percentages may not be a true rise on last year. The draft does not say.
  • Other lines also moved between the draft and the adopted budget (for example payments in lieu of taxes, $196,816 against $192,846 in the 10% option), which could account for part of the gap.
  • Costs such as wages, winter roads and insurance may have risen since 2022, when total expenses were $783,665. The 2026 operating budget is $988,080.

Questions you could ask

  1. Why did Council set the 2026 municipal levy at $600,194 when the draft options stopped at $574,097?
  2. Was the 0% column of $521,906 the 2025 levy, and what is the real rise on 2025?
  3. Is there a staff report or minute that explains the choice? We did not find one in the packages we read.
  4. Which version of the budget schedule is final, given that its heading names Bylaw 2026-08 and the bylaw it is attached to is 2026-09?

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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. 2026 Draft Budget Options, May 14, 2026, page 1 of 4: "General Municipal Taxation": Budget 934,764; 0% 521,906; 2.5% 534,953; 5% 548,000; 7.5% 561,047; 10% 574,097. "Payment In Lieu/Hydro Dam": 10% option 192,846.

    Agenda Package, Regular Council Meeting May 21, 2026 (includes the 2026 Draft Budget Options, May 14, 2026) · 2026 Draft Budget Options, page 1 of 4, PDF page 83

  2. 2026 Draft Budget Options, page 3 of 4, Capital revenue: "Tr from Reserves to bal budget": 0% 90,224; 2.5% 75,192; 5% 60,160; 7.5% 45,128; 10% 30,092.

    Agenda Package, Regular Council Meeting May 21, 2026 (includes the 2026 Draft Budget Options, May 14, 2026) · 2026 Draft Budget Options, page 3 of 4, PDF page 85

  3. Schedule "A" to Bylaw 2026-08, 2026 Budget (attached to Bylaw 2026-09): Taxation, "General Municipal Taxation" revenue 600,194; "Payment In Lieu/Hydro Dam" 196,816; Levels of Service total revenue 1,128,830 and expense 988,080. The schedule heading says Bylaw 2026-08, but it is printed with Bylaw 2026-09, which is the bylaw to adopt the budget.

    Council Package, Regular Meeting June 18, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-09 adopting the 2026 budget, Bylaw 2026-10 striking tax rates) · Schedule A, Levels of Service/Operational Support, PDF page 118 (bylaw page 118)

  4. Bylaw 2026-09 Being a Bylaw to Adopt the 2026 Municipal Budget: "Read and adopted by Resolution 2026-058 this 18th Day of June 2026." Schedule A, Capital: revenue lines for transfers from reserves are 150,000, 114,020 and 75,000; "CAPITAL TOTAL" 409,020; "BUDGET TOTAL" 1,561,650.

    Council Package, Regular Meeting June 18, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-09 adopting the 2026 budget, Bylaw 2026-10 striking tax rates) · Bylaw 2026-09, PDF page 117; Schedule A, Capital, PDF page 120

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

How will the Township pay for $3,124,000 of expected landfill closure costs when it has reserved $243,260?

$3,124,000expected total landfill closure and care costs at the end of 2022, with $243,260 reserved

The Townships run three landfill sites (garbage dumps) and must pay to close them and look after them afterwards. The 2022 audited statements show a liability (a debt the Township owes in the future) of $421,000 "to date", against expected total costs of $3,124,000. The remaining $2,703,000 has not yet been counted as a cost. Most of it, $2,353,000, is for the Bisset Creek site, which is given 65 years of remaining life. The statements say the Townships "have reserved $243,260" for these costs. The 2026 budget carries $55,500 for site maintenance and monitoring and a $75,000 capital project for waste management.

Why it matters

A small township that raised $450,152 in property taxes in 2022 could face a cost many times its yearly budget when a site closes. Residents will want to know the plan to pay for it, and when it is likely to fall due.

It could be because…

  • The costs are spread over a very long time: the Bisset Creek site has 65 years of remaining life, so most of the money would not be needed for decades.
  • The statements count the liability as each site fills up, which is the accounting rule, so the figure rises slowly on purpose.
  • The Township may hold more set aside for this now than in 2022. We could not find a newer statement.
  • Provincial or county grants may help with a closure. The documents we read do not say.

Questions you could ask

  1. What is the Township's plan, and its latest estimate, for paying the Bisset Creek closure costs of about $2,353,000 still to be counted?
  2. How much is reserved for landfill closure now, compared with $243,260 in 2022?
  3. What is the $75,000 "Special Projects - WMgmt" in the 2026 capital budget 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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Note 3, Provision for landfill closure and post-closure costs: "Liability to date" Stonecliffe $392,000, Bisset Creek $17,000, Deux Rivieres $12,000, total $421,000. "Expected total expenditures" $742,000, $2,370,000, $12,000, total $3,124,000. "Amount remaining to be recognized" $350,000, $2,353,000, nil, total $2,703,000. "Remaining useful life of sites years": Stonecliffe 18, Bisset Creek 65, Deux Rivieres closed. "The United Townships have reserved $243,260 to finance the expected closure and post-closure care liabilities." Checked on the same page: 392,000 + 17,000 + 12,000 = 421,000; 421,000 + 2,703,000 = 3,124,000. Second render at 220 dpi agrees.

    United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 (Welch LLP, May 18, 2023) · Note 3, PDF page 12 (printed page 11 of 13), scanned page read by eye

  2. Consolidated Statement of Financial Position: "Provision for landfill closure and post-closure liabilities (Note 3)" 421,000 (2021: 441,000). Property taxation revenue for 2022 was 450,152 (Statement of Operations). Second render at 220 dpi agrees; liabilities column adds to the printed total 717,315 (148,390 + 421,000 + 147,925).

    United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 (Welch LLP, May 18, 2023) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 4 (printed page 3); Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 5 (printed page 4); scanned pages read by eye

  3. 2026 Budget, Schedule A: Asset Lifecycle Support, Environmental Services, "Site Maintenance/Monitoring" expense 55,500. Capital, Environmental Services, "Special Projects - WMgmt" expense 75,000.

    Council Package, Regular Meeting June 18, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-09 adopting the 2026 budget, Bylaw 2026-10 striking tax rates) · Schedule A, Asset Lifecycle Support, PDF page 119; Capital, PDF page 120

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

How much will be left in reserves after the 2026 budget takes $339,020 from them?

$339,020planned transfers from reserves in the 2026 budget (worked out by us)

A reserve is money set aside for a named purpose. The adopted 2026 budget pays for part of its capital projects with three transfers from reserves: $150,000, $114,020 and $75,000, together $339,020 (worked out by us). The newest reserve balance we could read is from the 2022 audited statements: "Internally restricted reserves" of $1,373,561, with cash of $1,473,531. We could not find the balance since then.

Why it matters

Reserves are the Township's cushion for big, uneven costs such as the landfill. Residents can reasonably ask how fast the cushion is shrinking, and what is left for the next surprise.

It could be because…

  • Reserves may have grown since 2022, so $339,020 may be a small share of what is held now.
  • Using reserves for one-time projects is what they are for. The draft budget showed the same $150,000 and $75,000 transfers in every tax option.
  • The transfers may be offset by grants that arrive later (for example the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund line of $30,000 in the same budget).

Questions you could ask

  1. What are the reserve balances now, by reserve, and what will they be at the end of 2026?
  2. What is the "2 bal capt" transfer of $114,020, and what project does it pay for?
  3. Does the Township publish a yearly reserves report? We did not find one.

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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. 2026 Budget, Schedule A, Capital, revenue: General Government Services "Transfer from Reserve" 150,000 and "Transfer from Reserves 2 bal capt" 114,020; Transportation Services "Transfer from Reserve" 75,000; "CAPITAL TOTAL" revenue 409,020. Checked on the same page: 150,000 + 114,020 + 30,000 + 75,000 + 15,000 + 25,000 = 409,020.

    Council Package, Regular Meeting June 18, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-09 adopting the 2026 budget, Bylaw 2026-10 striking tax rates) · Schedule A, Capital, PDF page 120

  2. Note 5, Accumulated surplus, 2022: "Unrestricted surplus" $196,622; "Internally restricted reserves" 1,373,561 (2021 1,353,561); "Provision for landfill closure and post-closure costs" (421,000); "Equity in tangible capital assets" 1,174,854; total $2,324,037. Checked on the same page: 196,622 + 1,373,561 - 421,000 + 1,174,854 = 2,324,037. Cash of $1,473,531 is on the Statement of Financial Position (PDF page 4). Second render at 220 dpi agrees.

    United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 (Welch LLP, May 18, 2023) · Note 5, PDF page 13 (printed page 12 of 13); Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 4; scanned pages read by eye

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound by reading the town's documents

Why do the Township's finance pages stop at 2022 for audited statements and 2019 for council pay?

2022newest year of audited statements posted on the Township's website

On October 13, 2026 the Financial Statements page listed 2022 as the newest audited statements. The Annual Council Expense Reports page listed only 2018 and 2019. The Budget page listed one file, a 2022 proposed budget. Yet newer documents exist: the March 24, 2026 Council agenda package carries the 2025 council pay statement, and the June 18, 2026 package carries the adopted 2026 budget. We did not find audited statements for 2023, 2024 or 2025 anywhere we looked.

Why it matters

Audited statements and budgets are how a resident checks what the Township promised and spent. The 2022 statements were signed on May 18, 2023, so the newest ones residents can read are about three and a half years old.

It could be because…

  • The later statements may be finished and filed with the Province but not yet put on the website.
  • A small staff may have fallen behind on posting while it was short of people. The Township's own papers talk about staffing difficulties.
  • The Township may publish the statements somewhere we did not look, such as its newsletter or a separate page.

Questions you could ask

  1. Have the 2023, 2024 and 2025 statements been audited, and when will they be posted?
  2. Will the 2025 council pay statement and the adopted 2026 budget be put on their own pages?
  3. Does Council see the audited statements in a public meeting each year? We did not find them in the 2026 agenda packages we read.

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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Financial Statements page: lists "2022 Library Audited Financial Statements" and "2022 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements" first, then 2021, 2018, 2017 and earlier years. No 2023, 2024 or 2025 file is listed.

    Financial Statements, Administration & Finance, Township website · Page list of documents, read October 13, 2026

  2. Annual Council Expense Reports page: lists "2019 - Council Expense Report", "2019 - Public Salary Disclosure", "2018 - Council Expense Report" and "2018 - Public Salary Disclosure". No later year is listed.

    Annual Council Expense Reports, Administration & Finance, Township website · Page list of documents, read October 13, 2026

  3. Budget Process and Reports page: lists one file, "2022 Budget Report". The adopted 2026 budget is in the June 18, 2026 agenda package (Bylaw 2026-09).

    Budget Process and Reports, Administration & Finance, Township website · Page list of documents, read October 13, 2026

  4. Independent Auditor's Report, Welch LLP, Pembroke, Ontario, dated May 18, 2023: the statements "present fairly, in all material respects" the financial position at December 31, 2022. The Township's own management statement is also dated May 18, 2023. Dates only, no figures; the date reads the same on pages 1 and 3.

    United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 (Welch LLP, May 18, 2023) · Management's Responsibility, PDF page 1; Independent Auditor's Report, PDF pages 2 and 3; scanned pages read by eye

↑ All questions

Worth askingFound automatically from financial reports

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 142% in 4 years?

+142%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2023

Head, Clara and Maria spent $71,055 on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $172K in 2023. Prices only went up about 16% in that time.

Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 142% in 4 years?
+142%
Show as a table
YearWater, sewers and garbagePrices (inflation)
2019+0%+0%
2020+72%+1%
2021+105%+4%
2022+19%+11%
2023+142%+16%

Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.

Why it matters

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.

It could be because…

  • The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
  • Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
  • Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
  • Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.

Questions you could ask

  1. What did the extra $101K a year pay for?
  2. Why did the dump (landfill) go from $63,786 to $157K?
  3. Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly 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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $71,055, 2020 $122K, 2021 $145K, 2022 $84,760, 2023 $172K.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2023 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

  2. Biggest driver: The dump (landfill), from $63,786 to $157K.

    Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2023 · Schedule 40 · archived copy

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Why did total council pay and expenses rise from $26,246.66 in 2019 to $45,317.70 in 2025, and what were the "2024 shortfalls"?

$45,317.70paid to Council in 2025 (honorariums and expenses), against $26,246.66 in 2019

The only council pay statements we could compare are for 2019 and 2025. The 2019 report to Council gives $26,246.66 for honorariums and expenses together, against $21,774.75 in 2018. The 2025 statement shows honorariums of $44,796.40 and expenses of $521.30, for a total of $45,317.70, a rise of 72.7% on 2019 (worked out by us). A footnote says the honorariums "also include 2024 shortfalls per Council working session March 20, 2025". We could not tell from the papers what the shortfalls were.

Why it matters

Councils set their own pay, so a large rise deserves a clear reason. Here the Township gives part of one: some 2025 pay was owed from 2024. Years between are missing from the public pages, so residents cannot see the steps.

It could be because…

  • Part of the 2025 total was owed from 2024, so 2025 may overstate a normal year.
  • Honorariums may have been reset by Council by-law (the statement names By-law 2025-09) after years without a change.
  • The 2019 report is described as covering expenses and honorariums as gross totals, so the two years should be comparable, but we could not check how each year was built.

Questions you could ask

  1. What were the "2024 shortfalls" and how much of the 2025 total do they make up?
  2. What did By-law 2025-09 change about council pay?
  3. Where are the council pay statements for 2020 to 2024?

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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Council Statement of Remuneration and Expenses, January 1 to December 31, 2025, "Per Municipal Act RSO 2001, Section 284 (1, 2); Township By-law 2025-09". Footnote: "Honorariums also include 2024 shortfalls per Council working session March 20, 2025". Sub total honorariums $ 44,796.40, expenses $ 521.30; "Total remuneration and expenses paid to Council" $ 45,317.70. Checked on the same page: the five members' honorariums add to 44,796.40 and 44,796.40 + 521.30 = 45,317.70.

    Agenda Package, Regular Council Meeting March 24, 2026 (includes the 2025 Council Statement of Remuneration and Expenses) · Council Remuneration Report for 2025, PDF page 38

  2. Report 20/02/20/1101, 2019 Council Expenses: "the Statement of Expenses for Council for the year 2019 totalling $26,246.66 be accepted as presented." "2018 expenses were $21,774.75. Council Honorariums are gross totals."

    Report to Council 20/02/20/1101: 2019 Council Expenses (February 20, 2020) · Page 1 of 1

↑ All questions

Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

How will the Township keep track of the work Council members do as volunteers under its new volunteer policy?

Aug. 8, 2026date the volunteer policy was on the Council agenda to be adopted

The August 8, 2026 Council agenda proposed Bylaw 2026-14, which adopts a Municipal Volunteer Engagement Policy. The policy says Council members who volunteer "must report to designated municipal staff and not act independently", must declare conflicts of interest, and must be supervised like any other volunteer. Staff are to give Council a yearly report on the number of volunteers and hours. The bylaw makes staff keep a register of approved volunteers. But the policy also says that when Council members take part in "collaborative governance activities" approved by Council or asked for by staff, they need no application or forms, and that these activities count as part of their official duties. The package we read is the agenda, so we do not know the vote.

Why it matters

Council makes the rules and staff carry them out. When council members also do hands-on work, residents want clear lines about who directs whom and what is written down.

It could be because…

  • A small township with few staff may need elected members to help, and a written policy is a step toward clear rules.
  • The register and the yearly report may cover Council members too, which would make their work visible.
  • "Collaborative governance activities" may mean ordinary committee work and not tasks done for the Township.

Questions you could ask

  1. Was Bylaw 2026-14 adopted on August 8, 2026, and will the minutes say so?
  2. Will the register and the yearly volunteer report include Council members' hours, and will the report be public?
  3. What counts as a "collaborative governance activity" that needs no forms?

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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Agenda item 11.2.2: "Bylaw 2026-14 Being a Bylaw to Adopt a Volunteer Policy", with the motion that it "be read and adopted". The bylaw directs that a register of approved volunteers be kept and that records be retained under the records retention by-law.

    Agenda Package, Regular Council Meeting August 8, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-14, Volunteer Policy) · Agenda, PDF page 2; Bylaw 2026-14, PDF page 127

  2. Municipal Volunteer Engagement Policy, section 1: "Council members volunteering must report to designated municipal staff and not act independently." Section 2: Council members who volunteer must "Declare any potential conflicts of interest" and "Report to the staff member responsible for the work for supervision and coordination." For "collaborative governance activities approved by Council or requested by staff, Council members are not required to complete a Volunteer Application or other forms. These activities are considered part of their official duties and are protected under Section 448 of the Municipal Act."

    Agenda Package, Regular Council Meeting August 8, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-14, Volunteer Policy) · Municipal Volunteer Engagement Policy, section 1, PDF page 128; section 2, PDF page 129

  3. Policy section 6, Recognition and Reporting: staff "Submit an Annual Volunteer Engagement Report to Council including: Number of volunteers and hours contributed; Types of volunteer roles and activities; Summary of incidents or concerns; Recommendations for program improvements".

    Agenda Package, Regular Council Meeting August 8, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-14, Volunteer Policy) · Municipal Volunteer Engagement Policy, section 6, PDF page 130

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Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Why does the 2026 tax rates schedule show $691,510 of municipal taxation when the budget shows a levy of $600,194?

$691,510municipal ("Lower General") taxation on the 2026 tax rates schedule

Bylaw 2026-10 sets the 2026 tax rates. Its schedule, printed from the Province's tax-rate tool on June 9, 2026, shows total taxation for "Lower General" (the Township's own share, as opposed to the county and schools) of 691,510. The adopted budget shows "General Municipal Taxation" of 600,194 and "Payment In Lieu/Hydro Dam" of 196,816. The numbers are not the same measure, so the gap is not an error by itself. The papers do not show how they connect.

Why it matters

Residents pay tax bills built from the rates. If the rates raise a different amount from the one in the budget, residents will want to know whether the difference is expected or a mismatch.

It could be because…

  • The tool's total includes properties that pay payments in lieu of taxes, which the budget lists on a separate line.
  • The schedule was run on June 9, 2026, before the budget adopted on June 18, 2026, and the levy may have changed in between.
  • The tool may include supplementary or other taxes the budget leaves out.

Questions you could ask

  1. How does the 2026 tax rates schedule's municipal total of 691510 relate to the budget's general municipal taxation of 600,194 and payments in lieu of 196,816?
  2. Will the tax bills raise more than the levy in the adopted 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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Schedule "A" to Bylaw 2026-10 - 2026 Tax Rates, "Using OPTA calculated rates on June 9, 2026", "Assessment Data Filter Option Used: No Limits, Include PIL Properties". Total taxation: Education 1138681; Upper General 1167524; Lower General 691510; Total 2997715. Checked on the same page: 1138681 + 1167524 + 691510 = 2997715. Row and numbers share a line on the rendered page.

    Council Package, Regular Meeting June 18, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-09 adopting the 2026 budget, Bylaw 2026-10 striking tax rates) · Schedule A to Bylaw 2026-10, PDF page 124

  2. Schedule "A" to Bylaw 2026-08, 2026 Budget: "General Municipal Taxation" 600,194; "Payment In Lieu/Hydro Dam" 196,816.

    Council Package, Regular Meeting June 18, 2026 (Bylaw 2026-09 adopting the 2026 budget, Bylaw 2026-10 striking tax rates) · Schedule A, PDF page 118

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Good to knowFound by reading the town's documents

Why did government transfers come in $114,700 under budget in 2022 while "Other" revenue ran $58,380 over?

$114,700government transfers below budget in 2022 (worked out by us)

In 2022 the Township budgeted $325,683 in transfers from the Province and others and received $210,983, a shortfall of $114,700 (worked out by us). "Other" revenue was budgeted at $40,000 and came in at $98,380. Spending also came in under budget: expenses were $783,665 against $851,984 budgeted, and capital purchases were $194,683 against $341,550 budgeted. The year ended with an excess of revenue over expenses of $195,605 against a budgeted $162,529. The statements explain the capital gap: budgets for capital projects are set project by project and may be carried out over more than one year. They do not explain "Other".

Why it matters

A budget is a promise about what the year will bring in and cost. Large gaps in both directions suggest that budgets for grants and one-time items are hard to predict, which is common in a small township, but it is a reason to read the actuals each year.

It could be because…

  • Grants budgeted for capital projects are often received only when the work is done, and the capital purchases came in $146,867 under budget (worked out by us).
  • The Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund money of $126,087 was held as deferred revenue at the end of 2022, to be counted when it is spent.
  • "Other" may include one-time items such as insurance payouts or recoveries.

Questions you could ask

  1. What was in "Other" revenue of $98,380 in 2022?
  2. Which grants budgeted for 2022 were not received, and were they received later?

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 Head, Clara and Maria? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.

The evidence

  1. Consolidated Statement of Operations, 2022 Budget / Actual 2022: "Province and other government transfers" 325,683 / 210,983; "Other" 40,000 / 98,380; total revenue 1,014,513 / 979,270; total expenses 851,984 / 783,665; "EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES" 162,529 / 195,605. Checked on the same page: 979,270 - 783,665 = 195,605; 1,014,513 - 851,984 = 162,529. Second render at 220 dpi agrees.

    United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 (Welch LLP, May 18, 2023) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 5 (printed page 4), scanned page read by eye

  2. Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets: "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" budget (341,550), actual (194,683). "INCREASE IN NET FINANCIAL ASSETS" budget (179,021), actual 43,132; end of year 897,607 budgeted, 1,119,760 actual. Checked on the same page: 1,076,628 + 43,132 = 1,119,760. Second render at 220 dpi agrees.

    United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 (Welch LLP, May 18, 2023) · Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets, PDF page 6 (printed page 5), scanned page read by eye

  3. Note 10, Budget Figures: "Budget established for capital projects are based on project-oriented basis, the cost of which may be carried out over one or more years." Note 4, Deferred revenue: "Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund" 126,087; total $ 147,925. Second render at 220 dpi of Note 4 agrees (21,838 + 126,087 = 147,925).

    United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 (Welch LLP, May 18, 2023) · Note 10, PDF page 14 (printed page 13 of 13); Note 4, PDF page 13 (printed page 12), scanned pages read by eye

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