Your town, in plain words
A clear, checkable guide to Johnson's budget, taxes and council decisions. A township in the Algoma District of northern Ontario, around Desbarats, with a mayor and four councillors. Every figure links back to the public record.
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Questions worth asking
Each one is a question, not an accusation. Every one lists ordinary reasons it could be true, and the documents it comes from.
+120%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Johnson spent $270K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $594K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 1 of 28 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
2016the newest audited statements listed on the Township's reports page
Council was shown the 2024 audited statements on July 22, 2025 and approved the 2025 statements on May 20, 2026. The Township's reports page lists audited statements only up to 2016.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
1.5%the 2026 tax increase council recommended, with no budget document posted
The 2026 budget is described in the minutes of a May 13, 2026 special meeting, but we did not find a budget document. The summary names $48,700 more from a provincial grant and a 1.5% tax increase.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$4,530,488.93the 2025 budgeted spending total, about 11.3% above 2024's $4,071,082.27 (worked out by us)
The budget table shown on April 23, 2025 totals $4,530,488.93 for 2025 spending, against $4,071,082.27 budgeted for 2024. Council said the tax rate rise was 2.86%.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$333,900a year, the average gap between what the asset plan says is needed and what is available
The Township's asset plan, dated August 30, 2023, says it needs about $1,113,700 a year for its assets and has about $779,800 a year to spend, a gap of $333,900 a year. The auditor told council on July 22, 2025 that asset management is of concern.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
May 20, 2026when the 2026 budget and tax rates were adopted
The 2025 budget was adopted on May 21, 2025 and the 2026 budget on May 20, 2026. In 2024 an April 17 agenda approved a roads plan "prior to budget adoption", and in 2023 a draft budget was on a June 7 agenda.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$4,135,218.85both the 2024 actual revenue and the 2024 actual spending totals
In the table shown on April 23, 2025, the 2024 Actual Revenue total and the 2024 Actual Expenses total are both $4,135,218.85.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$393per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2025
Johnson spent about $393 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2025. The typical similar town spent $269. Only 4 of 28 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
A property tax bill in Johnson pays for the town and schools. Only part of it goes to the town, and that part is what Johnson council controls.
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Each number links to the public document it came from. Check it yourself.
We ask questions. Every one lists ordinary reasons a number could look odd.
Towns are only compared with places of a similar size and kind, from the same yearly reports.
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