Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Read by hand. We read Hudson'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 · 6 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Hudson's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 42 similar Ontario towns. 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.
$3.3 milliongap over ten years between what the plan says is needed and the funding counted on
An asset management plan lists what a township owns, what it will cost to keep it working and how it will pay. Hudson's plan, dated September 5, 2025, puts the replacement value of the Township's infrastructure at $73.8 million, with roads about $64.0 million of it. It says the roads, buildings and vehicles need $9.0 million over ten years to keep today's level of service. Funding the Township already counts on is $5.7 million, which leaves a gap of $3.3 million. Closing it would take about $73,300 more a year in contributions, which the plan says is 9.0% of the 2024 tax levy. The tax-funded money the Township already puts toward savings for capital is about $13,800 a year, and its savings for this purpose are about $629,800. Council adopted the plan on August 6, 2025 and directed staff to put the funding strategy into the 2026 capital budget process.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
2.51%municipal levy increase in the 2025 option Council chose on May 7, 2025
The levy is the part of the budget paid by property taxes. On April 2, 2025 Council received three levy options for 2025 and asked staff to adjust the municipal tax rate by 2.5%. On May 7, 2025 it received a fourth option showing a municipal levy increase of 2.51%, and asked for a by-law on it. The vote was recorded at a member's request: four for, one against. The 2025 tax rates by-law passed the same night. On April 1, 2026 Council again received three levy options and directed a by-law on Option 2, again on a recorded vote of four for and one against. The 2026 tax rates by-law, 2026-15, passed on May 6, 2026. The minutes do not say what the 2026 rise was, and we did not find the options or the budgets posted. The January 7, 2026 minutes say council packages are available by emailing the administrative office.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
Aug. 6, 2025date Council authorized signing of the 2024 audited statements
On August 6, 2025 the auditor presented the 2024 statements and Council authorized the Reeve and Clerk-Treasurer to sign the 2024 audited statements, and to sign the engagement letter for the 2025 audit. The May 6, 2026 minutes record Council accepting the 2025 financial statements together with other reports to file. We did not find either set of statements posted. That authorization came more than seven months after the end of 2024 (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
2027 to 2030years named in Council's direction on pay, passed as By-Law 2026-05 on February 4, 2026
On January 7, 2026 Council received a memo on council remuneration and directed staff to prepare a by-law to "provide remuneration, allowances and regulate expenses for the Reeve and Council for the years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030". By-Law 2026-05, "to provide remuneration, allowances and regulate expenses for the Reeve and Council", was read three times and carried on February 4, 2026. The minutes do not give any dollar amounts, and we did not find the by-law or a yearly council pay statement posted. The minutes title the memo "Council Remuneration for 2026-2030 Term", while the motion names the years 2027 to 2030.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
In 2019, Hudson had $675K more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$722K. About 82% of that change ($1.1M) 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 8 of 42 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$3.3 milliongap over ten years between what the plan says is needed and the funding counted on
An asset management plan lists what a township owns, what it will cost to keep it working and how it will pay. Hudson's plan, dated September 5, 2025, puts the replacement value of the Township's infrastructure at $73.8 million, with roads about $64.0 million of it. It says the roads, buildings and vehicles need $9.0 million over ten years to keep today's level of service. Funding the Township already counts on is $5.7 million, which leaves a gap of $3.3 million. Closing it would take about $73,300 more a year in contributions, which the plan says is 9.0% of the 2024 tax levy. The tax-funded money the Township already puts toward savings for capital is about $13,800 a year, and its savings for this purpose are about $629,800. Council adopted the plan on August 6, 2025 and directed staff to put the funding strategy into the 2026 capital budget process.
Why it matters
Roads wear out whether or not the money is there. A gap that stays open means repairs get put off, or a large tax rise arrives later all at once. Residents can reasonably ask how Council plans to close it.
It could be because…
The plan counts on grants: it assumes "OCIF grants $100,000 per year" (a provincial infrastructure fund), and says support from upper levels of government is required.
The plan says assets can last past their expected life, so not everything needs replacing on the schedule used to work out the gap.
The plan calls closing the larger $11.0 million benchmark gap unrealistic, which is why it uses a smaller target. The $3.3 million is the more modest figure.
Questions you could ask
What part of the 2026 budget puts the plan's financing strategy to work, and how much of the $73,300 a year is in it?
What road and bridge work is the Township putting off while the $3.3 million gap is open?
How much of the gap does Council expect grants (such as the provincial road fund) to cover?
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 Hudson?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Executive Summary: "The Township's infrastructure has an estimated replacement value of $73.8 million. The largest share is roads and accounts for about $64.0 million (87%)." "The total 10-year lifecycle costs to meet proposed levels of service amount to $9.0 million (an average of about $900,000 per year). To meet proposed levels of service an average increase to contributions to capital and/or capital reserves of approximately $73,300 per year would be required which is equivalent to a 9.0% annual increase to the tax levy in 2025 ($2024)."
Financing Strategy, section C: "a funding gap of $3.3 million exists over the same period. Notably, the funding gap under the proposed level of service target is significantly reduced from the benchmark gap of $11.0 million over the planning period." Figure 7 labels: "10-Year Total Need, $9.0 M" and "10-Year Funding, $5.7 M". "the Township would be required to increase capital contributions by approximately $73,300 per year (9.0% of 2024 tax levy) in each of the next 10 years, plus inflation."
Table 18 notes: "Existing 2024 tax supported capital contributions to reserve of about $13,800 is assumed to be the starting point and base case for increasing annual capital contributions." "Existing asset management related reserves of about $629,800 have been accounted for and are applied against the lifecycle cost expenditures over a 10-year period". "OCIF grants $100,000 per year are assumed in the analysis over the ten-year period."
Motion 2025-129: Council "adopts the 2025 Asset Management Plan, as prepared by Hemson Consulting Ltd."; "THAT the approved Asset Management Plan be posted on the Municipality's website"; "AND THAT Council direct staff to incorporate the financing strategy into the 2026 capital budget process and future budget discussions." Carried.
2.51%municipal levy increase in the 2025 option Council chose on May 7, 2025
The levy is the part of the budget paid by property taxes. On April 2, 2025 Council received three levy options for 2025 and asked staff to adjust the municipal tax rate by 2.5%. On May 7, 2025 it received a fourth option showing a municipal levy increase of 2.51%, and asked for a by-law on it. The vote was recorded at a member's request: four for, one against. The 2025 tax rates by-law passed the same night. On April 1, 2026 Council again received three levy options and directed a by-law on Option 2, again on a recorded vote of four for and one against. The 2026 tax rates by-law, 2026-15, passed on May 6, 2026. The minutes do not say what the 2026 rise was, and we did not find the options or the budgets posted. The January 7, 2026 minutes say council packages are available by emailing the administrative office.
Why it matters
The levy decides the tax bill. Residents can only judge a choice if they can see the options, the dollars and what each would have paid for.
It could be because…
The options may be in the council packages that the Township gives out on request.
The 2026 rise may be reported in the tax newsletter that Council directed on May 7, 2025 to be mailed once a year with the final tax bills.
Percent rises on the Township's own levy are only one part of a tax bill, which also includes the county and school shares.
Questions you could ask
What was the municipal levy increase in the 2026 option Council chose on April 1, 2026, in percent and dollars?
Will the levy options and the adopted budgets for 2025 and 2026 be posted?
Why are council packages given out by email instead of posted?
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 Hudson?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Motion 2025-071: "acknowledge receipt of three proposed levy options with corresponding budget for the fiscal year 2025"; "Direct the Clerk-Treasurer to adjust the municipal tax rate by 2.5% for Council's consideration." Carried.
Motion 2025-083: "acknowledge receipt of Memo 25-012 - Municipal Budget 2025 - Option 4 regarding a proposed levy option showing a municipal levy increase of 2.51% with corresponding budget for the fiscal year 2025". Recorded vote: for, Gauthier, McLean, Seed, Craig; against, Seymour (the recorded vote table lists five members, four for and one against). Carried. By-Law 2025-11, "the adoption of tax rates" for 2025, read a first, second and third time the same night.
Council minutes, May 7, 2025 · Item 9.c, PDF pages 6 and 7; By-Law 2025-11, PDF pages 7 and 8, scanned pages read by eye; second render at 220 dpi agrees
Item 9.c, Memo 26-007, Municipal Budget 2026: "The Clerk-Treasurer presented Council with the proposed 2026 budget and provided a line-by-line presentation of all departments projected income and expenses. Three (3) options were presented for council's consideration." Motion 2026-073: "Direct the Clerk-Treasurer to prepare a by-law given Levy Option # 2". Recorded vote on the next page: four for, one against.
Council minutes, April 1, 2026 · Item 9.c, PDF page 4; recorded vote, PDF page 5, scanned pages read by eye; second render at 220 dpi agrees
By-Law 2026-15, "a by-law to provide for the adoption of tax rates and to further provide for penalty and interest in default of payment thereof for 2026", read a first and second time (2026-094) and a third time (2026-095), carried.
Aug. 6, 2025date Council authorized signing of the 2024 audited statements
On August 6, 2025 the auditor presented the 2024 statements and Council authorized the Reeve and Clerk-Treasurer to sign the 2024 audited statements, and to sign the engagement letter for the 2025 audit. The May 6, 2026 minutes record Council accepting the 2025 financial statements together with other reports to file. We did not find either set of statements posted. That authorization came more than seven months after the end of 2024 (worked out by us).
Why it matters
Audited statements are the check on whether what the Township says it spent matches the books. Without them, residents depend on short lines in minutes.
It could be because…
Statements may be given to residents on request, or filed with the Province in the yearly Financial Information Return.
A small township with a small office staff may be slower at posting.
Audit timing depends on the auditor's calendar and on the Township's own year-end work.
Questions you could ask
Will the 2024 and 2025 audited statements be posted?
When will the 2026 statements be ready, given the 2024 ones were signed in August?
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 Hudson?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Item 6.c.i: the auditor "provided Council with the 2024 financial statements." Motion 2025-128: "Authorize the Clerk-Treasurer and Reeve to sign the 2024 audited financial statements on behalf of the Township of Hudson"; "Authorize the Clerk-Treasurer and Reeve to sign Kemp, Elliot, & Blair LLP's engagement letter pertaining to the 2025 audit." Carried.
Government page lists agendas and minutes for 2017 to 2026 and, we found, no budget, audited statements or council pay statement among the documents linked on the pages we read (home, Government, Contact Us, Bids & Tenders).
2027 to 2030years named in Council's direction on pay, passed as By-Law 2026-05 on February 4, 2026
On January 7, 2026 Council received a memo on council remuneration and directed staff to prepare a by-law to "provide remuneration, allowances and regulate expenses for the Reeve and Council for the years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030". By-Law 2026-05, "to provide remuneration, allowances and regulate expenses for the Reeve and Council", was read three times and carried on February 4, 2026. The minutes do not give any dollar amounts, and we did not find the by-law or a yearly council pay statement posted. The minutes title the memo "Council Remuneration for 2026-2030 Term", while the motion names the years 2027 to 2030.
Why it matters
Councils set their own pay, so residents expect the amounts to be public, and to be able to see which years they cover.
It could be because…
The by-law may be on the Township's by-laws page, which we did not read.
The memo title and the motion may differ only because the 2026 pay was already set by an earlier by-law.
A by-law passed before the term may be meant to cover pay for the whole next term.
Questions you could ask
What are the Reeve's and each councillor's yearly pay for 2027 to 2030 under By-Law 2026-05?
Will the yearly statement of council pay and expenses under the Municipal Act be posted?
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 Hudson?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Item 9.a, Memo 26-001, Council Remuneration for 2026-2030 Term. Motion 2026-009: "Direct the Clerk-Treasurer to prepare and present the necessary by-law to provide remuneration, allowances and regulate expenses for the Reeve and Council for the years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for council's consideration at the regular council meeting of February 4th, 2026." Carried.
Item 10.a, By-Law 2026-05, "Being a by-law to provide remuneration, allowances and regulate expenses for the Reeve and Council", motions 2026-035 (first and second reading) and 2026-036 (third reading), both carried.
In 2019, Hudson had $675K more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$722K. About 82% of that change ($1.1M) 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 8 of 42 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Hudson went from having money in the bank to owing more than it has. What changed?
−$1.0M−$500K$0$500K$1.0M
−$722K
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Net financial position
2019
$675K
2020
$799K
2021
$625K
2022
$682K
2023
−$846K
2024
−$722K
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
A new accounting rule (asset retirement obligations, from 2023) added a large future cost to the books all at once.
Borrowing for a planned project, such as sewage lagoons, which is paid back over many years.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan and timeline for paying the landfill closing cost?
Without the accounting change, is the town's position getting better or worse?
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 Hudson?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Hudson spent about $266 per home on snow ploughing in 2024. The typical similar town spent $71. Only 6 of 42 similar towns spent more.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
A one-time cost in this year.
Questions you could ask
What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
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 Hudson?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Snow ploughing per home: Hudson $266; typical similar town $71; ranked 7th highest of 43.
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