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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Kawartha Lakes'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 · 11 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Kawartha Lakes' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 3 similar Ontario places. 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.
$8,685,000spent on professional fees in 2024 (printed as 8,685 thousand), against a 2024 budget of $5,219,520
"Professional fees" is a line in the budget book for money paid to outside firms and agencies. The 2025 budget book set the 2024 budget for this line at $5,219,520. The 2026 budget book shows 2024 actual spending of $8,685 thousand, about 66% above that (worked out by us). The biggest single piece is Victoria Manor, the City's long-term care home, which is run day to day by a private company. Its professional fees were $3,469 thousand in 2024 against a 2024 budget of $1,730,363, and the 2025 budget was set back down to $1,642,978. Planning's consultant line is also set at $1,433 thousand for 2026, up from $450 thousand in 2025. The City does not say, in the pages we read, what is inside the Manor's line. Its 2026 priorities say it wants to reduce reliance on staffing agencies. The Manor still cost the City less than budgeted in 2024, because provincial grants were higher than budgeted.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 8 sources
$1,139,474operating fund deficit at the end of 2024, after a surplus of $3,204,934 in 2023
The audited statements show a large annual surplus for 2024 ($31,188,096), but that is the full-accounting figure, which counts assets that were built or handed over to the City. The "operating fund", the day-to-day money, finished 2024 at a deficit of $1,139,474 (a surplus of $3,204,934 in 2023). The City's 2026 budget says its actual 2024 spending was $257,254 thousand against $256,117 thousand of revenue, a gap of $1,136 thousand, and that the City cannot budget for a deficit. The September 2025 staff slides show a "prior years deficit" of $1,139,474 in the 2025 figures. In the statements, 2024 spending in total was above the budget too: expenses were $291,028,291 against a budget of $269,349,468 (a gap of about $21.7 million, worked out by us), and Protection to persons and property (police, fire and similar) was $46,754,706 against a budget of $37,610,202. The statements say the budget was prepared on a different basis and restated.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 6 sources
$3,393,140cash at December 31, 2024, down from $27,162,950 a year earlier
At the end of 2023 the City held $27,162,950 in cash. At the end of 2024 it held $3,393,140. Investments fell too, from $73,120,648 to $62,738,229. The cash flow statement shows $83,449,422 spent on buying or building assets in 2024. The City's own accounts also show a "capital fund deficit" for projects waiting to be paid for by debentures (borrowing repaid over many years) of $21,513,324, double the $10,781,773 a year earlier. Net debt (what the City owes less its financial assets) rose to $139,008,666 from $113,090,923, while borrowed debt fell to $108,165,138 from $121,781,239. The 2026 budget plans about $127 million of tax-supported capital work and forecasts the City's debt servicing ratio at 4.40% in 2026 and 10% in 2035, which is the limit the City has set itself (the legislated limit it prints is 25%).
Found by reading the city's own documents · 5 sources
$16,359,800estimated future workplace-injury claims, with $nil set aside in a reserve
The City insures its own workplace-injury claims (through the WSIB) rather than paying a premium. Its statements estimate the claims still to be paid at $16,359,800 and say the City has "$nil set aside in a reserve" for them. Separately, the City owes about $31,370,637 for closing its landfills (28,111,184) and removing asbestos from buildings when they are renovated or torn down (3,259,454), and says it has not designated funds for either. These are future costs recorded as debts now. The City's own statements show them as negative amounts in its accumulated surplus (money that would have to be found later). The City holds reserves of $56,275,993, and its 2026 budget lists a general tax rate stabilization reserve of $1,078,768 and a general contingency reserve of $6,730,281.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 5 sources
$7,579,000of unnamed "budget efficiency" savings in the 2026 operating budget (printed as 7,579 thousand)
On September 16, 2025, staff showed the Budget Committee a draft 2026 operating budget with total expenses of $304,647,270 and a gap of $13,039,990 between spending and revenue. The adopted 2026 budget balances at $293,500 thousand with a 5.9% tax increase. The City says Budget Committee and staff "reviewed every department to find efficiencies in staffing, materials, fleet management, and external contracts". A line called "Budget Efficiency" of negative $7,579 thousand now sits in the budget, spread across departments (negative $527 thousand in Fire Rescue Service and negative $183 thousand at Victoria Manor, for example). The staff slides listed ways to save: starting new positions later (about $1 million), leaving some jobs vacant on purpose, recovering wage costs from grants, and replacing outside contracts. The department pages we read show the amounts but not which positions or contracts make them up.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
3 reportsposted; two with pay-suspension recommendations (30 days and 90 days) and one with no penalty
The City posts three Integrity Commissioner reports. In March 2022 the Commissioner found that Councillor Ron Ashmore breached three sections of the Code of Conduct, and recommended that his pay be suspended for 30 days. In April 2022 the Commissioner found that Councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan, who was then on council, breached the Code and recommended a 90-day pay suspension. Under the law the City quotes, council may then reprimand a member or suspend pay for up to 90 days. In September 2025 a report on Councillor Dan Joyce found that one incorrect word in a statement to council was a breach but "trivial", and recommended no penalty. The City's page lists the reports and when they went to council. It does not say what council decided.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$96,226,000salaries and wages budgeted for 2026 (printed as 96,226 thousand), up from $84,213 thousand in 2025
The 2026 budget book shows salaries and wages of $79,202 thousand in 2024 (actual), $84,213 thousand budgeted for 2025 and $96,226 thousand for 2026, a rise of $12,013 thousand or about 14.3% (worked out by us). With benefits, the total is $125,535 thousand, which the City says is 43% of the operating budget. The City's full-time staffing tables list 731 positions in 2025 and 771 in 2026 across the departments shown, a rise of about 5.5% (worked out by us). The City explains the gap in part: it says newly ratified union contracts raised pay, and the staff slides say it is "reviewing compensation to align with 60th percentile of comparators". Part-time and seasonal staff and other budget lines are not in the position tables.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
July 31, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements, the latest we could find posted
The City's audited statements for 2024 carry the auditor's report date of July 31, 2025 and are posted. On October 5, 2026, nine months after the end of 2025, the Previous Budgets page says that for the 2025 financial statements residents should "contact the Supervisor, Treasury" by phone. We did not find the 2025 statements posted on the pages we read. The statements are the City's audited report card for the year.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 2 sources
$8,685,000spent on professional fees in 2024 (printed as 8,685 thousand), against a 2024 budget of $5,219,520
"Professional fees" is a line in the budget book for money paid to outside firms and agencies. The 2025 budget book set the 2024 budget for this line at $5,219,520. The 2026 budget book shows 2024 actual spending of $8,685 thousand, about 66% above that (worked out by us). The biggest single piece is Victoria Manor, the City's long-term care home, which is run day to day by a private company. Its professional fees were $3,469 thousand in 2024 against a 2024 budget of $1,730,363, and the 2025 budget was set back down to $1,642,978. Planning's consultant line is also set at $1,433 thousand for 2026, up from $450 thousand in 2025. The City does not say, in the pages we read, what is inside the Manor's line. Its 2026 priorities say it wants to reduce reliance on staffing agencies. The Manor still cost the City less than budgeted in 2024, because provincial grants were higher than budgeted.
Why it matters
A budget is the promise made to taxpayers. A line that runs well over the promise for a year, then is budgeted lower again, is hard to follow unless the City says what is in it. Outside contracts are also harder for the public to see than staff pay.
It could be because…
The Manor's extra fees may have been paid for by extra provincial grants. The Manor's net cost to the City in 2024 was $1,582,529, below the 2024 budget of $2,523,186, and its provincial grants were $15,545 thousand against a budget of $11,821,656.
The line may include agency nurses or support workers hired to cover vacancies, which the City says it wants to reduce. That would be a staffing cost reported under another name.
Planning's higher 2026 line may be one-time work on the new Official Community Plan, which the City names as a 2026 priority.
The two budget books may group costs differently, so the same line is not always the same thing from year to year.
Questions you could ask
What is in the Victoria Manor professional fees line: the management contract, agency staffing, consultants? Please list the largest payees for 2024 and 2025.
Why was the 2025 Manor budget set at $1,642,978 when 2024 spending was $3,469 thousand?
What did the revised support contract with the Manor's operator change, and what does it cost?
Will the City publish a note in each budget book explaining any line that runs more than 25% over its 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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Operating budget summary, Contracted Services (amounts in thousands of dollars): "Professional Fees" Actual 2024 8,685; Budget 2025 5,036; Budget 2026 6,791; variance 1,756.
Mayor's Budget 2025 · Victoria Manor Long-Term Care Home Division Operating Budget, Contracted Services, PDF page 252
The Manor page says: "Day-to-day management and operation of the home are contracted to Sienna Senior Living, a private sector long-term care management organization." Its 2026 priorities include "Implement and sustain transition activities under the revised support contract with Sienna Senior Living" and "Advance a targeted recruitment strategy to reduce reliance on staffing agencies".
Mayor's Budget 2026 · Victoria Manor Long-Term Care Home Division, PDF pages 229 and 230
Net cost of the Manor to the City: Actual 2024 1,582,529; Budget 2025 2,598,882; Budget 2026 2,692,354. Provincial Grants (thousands): Actual 2024 (15,545); Budget 2025 (13,670); Budget 2026 (15,344).
Mayor's Budget 2026 · Department summary, PDF page 28; Victoria Manor operating budget, Grants, PDF page 231
Victoria Manor, 2024 budget in the 2025 book: Provincial Grants Budget 2024 (11,821,656); Total Victoria Manor Division Operating Budget, Budget 2024 2,523,186.
Mayor's Budget 2025 · Victoria Manor operating budget, PDF pages 251 and 253
Planning and Administration Division (thousands): "Professional Fees" Actual 2024 1,594; Budget 2025 450; Budget 2026 1,433; variance 983, 218%. Its 2026 priorities include "Advance the new Official Community Plan, aligning with provincial requirements and implement Growth Management Strategy recommendations".
Mayor's Budget 2026 · Development Services, Planning and Administration Division, PDF pages 151 and 153
$1,139,474operating fund deficit at the end of 2024, after a surplus of $3,204,934 in 2023
The audited statements show a large annual surplus for 2024 ($31,188,096), but that is the full-accounting figure, which counts assets that were built or handed over to the City. The "operating fund", the day-to-day money, finished 2024 at a deficit of $1,139,474 (a surplus of $3,204,934 in 2023). The City's 2026 budget says its actual 2024 spending was $257,254 thousand against $256,117 thousand of revenue, a gap of $1,136 thousand, and that the City cannot budget for a deficit. The September 2025 staff slides show a "prior years deficit" of $1,139,474 in the 2025 figures. In the statements, 2024 spending in total was above the budget too: expenses were $291,028,291 against a budget of $269,349,468 (a gap of about $21.7 million, worked out by us), and Protection to persons and property (police, fire and similar) was $46,754,706 against a budget of $37,610,202. The statements say the budget was prepared on a different basis and restated.
Why it matters
A City that spends more than it takes in has to cover the gap from savings or a later tax increase. The size here is small, about 0.4% of the operating budget, but residents are owed a plain account of which services ran over and why.
It could be because…
A deficit this small is within normal year-to-year swings and was carried into the next year's figures by the City.
The statements say the Council-approved budget was restated to match the accounting basis, so some of the gap between budget and actual is accounting, not extra cash spending.
The statements' revenue was also well above budget ($322,216,387 against $308,593,753), including grants for services that cost more to deliver.
Protection includes police and paramedic costs that can move with provincial funding and wage settlements.
Questions you could ask
Which services ran over their 2024 budgets, and by how much, on the Council-approved basis (not the restated one)?
Why was Protection to persons and property $9.1 million above its restated budget, and how much of that is police, fire and paramedic costs?
How was the 2024 operating deficit covered, and from which reserve or later 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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 8, Accumulated surplus: "Operating fund surplus" (1,139,474) in 2024 and 3,204,934 in 2023. Capital fund (deficit) surplus - projects to be debentured (21,513,324) in 2024 and (10,781,773) in 2023.
Consolidated statement of operations, 2024: Annual surplus budget 39,244,285, actual 31,188,096 (2023 actual 30,458,021). Total expenses budget 269,349,468, actual 291,028,291. Total revenue budget 308,593,753, actual 322,216,387. "Protection to persons and property" budget 37,610,202, actual 46,754,706 (2023 actual 39,715,713).
Note 10, Budget amounts: the budgets "were not prepared on the same basis as these consolidated financial statements, and have been restated to conform to the requirements under PSAB accounting standards". An amount for amortization expense "has been added" and amounts for contributed tangible capital assets and the related revenue "have been added", based on management's best estimate.
Operating budget summary: Total Expenses, Actual 2024 257,254 (thousands); Tax Support Required, Actual 2024 1,136. The overview says: "The Municipal Act stipulates that municipalities cannot budget for a deficit." The Total - Detail Summary by Department for Actual 2024 is 1,139,474.
Mayor's Budget 2026 · Operating Budget Overview, PDF page 18; Operating Budget Summary, PDF pages 25 and 29
$3,393,140cash at December 31, 2024, down from $27,162,950 a year earlier
At the end of 2023 the City held $27,162,950 in cash. At the end of 2024 it held $3,393,140. Investments fell too, from $73,120,648 to $62,738,229. The cash flow statement shows $83,449,422 spent on buying or building assets in 2024. The City's own accounts also show a "capital fund deficit" for projects waiting to be paid for by debentures (borrowing repaid over many years) of $21,513,324, double the $10,781,773 a year earlier. Net debt (what the City owes less its financial assets) rose to $139,008,666 from $113,090,923, while borrowed debt fell to $108,165,138 from $121,781,239. The 2026 budget plans about $127 million of tax-supported capital work and forecasts the City's debt servicing ratio at 4.40% in 2026 and 10% in 2035, which is the limit the City has set itself (the legislated limit it prints is 25%).
Why it matters
Cash is what pays the bills between tax instalments and grant payments. A fast fall in cash, with large projects still to be borrowed for, means the City's future interest bills and tax levels depend on decisions that are not yet shown in the debt total.
It could be because…
The City chose to spend its cash on assets (roads, water and sewer, buildings) it had put off. Its 2026 budget says it is working through a list of deferred projects.
It still holds $62,738,229 in investments, which it can turn into cash, and an unused $15 million revolving credit line with its bank.
Borrowed debt fell by $13,616,101 in 2024; the rise in net debt is mainly the cost of the new assets.
The City has set itself a debt limit (10% of its borrowing room) that is much lower than the provincial limit of 25%, and expects to be at 4.40% in 2026.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $21,513,324 capital fund deficit does the City plan to borrow, and when?
What cash balance does the City expect at the end of 2025 and 2026, and has it used its $15 million credit line?
The City forecasts its debt payments rising from 4.40% in 2026 to 10% in 2035. What yearly interest cost and tax effect does that mean?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Consolidated statement of financial position, December 31: Cash 3,393,140 (2023: 27,162,950). Investments 62,738,229 (73,120,648). Municipal debt 108,165,138 (121,781,239). Net debt (139,008,666) (113,090,923).
Consolidated statement of cash flows, 2024: Acquisition of tangible capital assets (83,449,422). Municipal debt issued 145,800. Municipal debt repaid (13,761,901). Financing activities total (13,616,101). Change in cash (23,769,810). Cash, beginning of year 27,162,950; cash, end of year 3,393,140.
Note 8, Accumulated surplus: "Capital fund (deficit) surplus - projects to be debentured" (21,513,324) in 2024 and (10,781,773) in 2023; "Capital fund surplus - all other projects" 3,723,598 in 2024 and 27,984,890 in 2023.
Note 9: "the City had awarded contracts in the amount of $59,467,417 ($26,682,516 in 2023) and has expensed $17,408,254 of those awarded amounts". Note 7(f): the revolving credit facility is "limited to $15 million" and the balance outstanding at December 31, 2024 was nil.
"The 2026 Tax-Supported Capital budget facilitates a total investment of approximately $127 million". The City began its 2024 budget process with a capital deferral list of about $117 million and the 2026 budget addresses a further $32.6 million of it. Forecasted Debt Servicing Ratio: Annual Repayment Limit (Legislated) 2026: 25%; Debt Servicing Limit (Self-Imposed) 2026: 10%; Debt Servicing Ratio (Forecasted) 2026: 4.40%, 2035: 10%.
Mayor's Budget 2026 · 2026 Capital Budget Overview, PDF page 42; Corporate Items, PDF page 37
$16,359,800estimated future workplace-injury claims, with $nil set aside in a reserve
The City insures its own workplace-injury claims (through the WSIB) rather than paying a premium. Its statements estimate the claims still to be paid at $16,359,800 and say the City has "$nil set aside in a reserve" for them. Separately, the City owes about $31,370,637 for closing its landfills (28,111,184) and removing asbestos from buildings when they are renovated or torn down (3,259,454), and says it has not designated funds for either. These are future costs recorded as debts now. The City's own statements show them as negative amounts in its accumulated surplus (money that would have to be found later). The City holds reserves of $56,275,993, and its 2026 budget lists a general tax rate stabilization reserve of $1,078,768 and a general contingency reserve of $6,730,281.
Why it matters
Costs that are known but not saved for are paid by future taxpayers. The landfill costs run to 2105, so each year's budget has to carry a share. Residents should be able to see how the City plans to pay for them, and whether the reserves it holds are meant for something else.
It could be because…
Costs that arrive over decades, such as landfill care to 2105, are normally paid each year from the operating budget, not saved up in advance.
The workplace-injury claims are paid as they arise ($2,147,672 in 2024), and outside coverage for certain types of claims limits any loss to $250,000.
The statements list these amounts as "unfunded" in the accumulated surplus, so the City knows they must be met from future budgets.
The City holds $56,275,993 in reserves and reserve funds, so other money exists, although it may be committed to other uses.
Questions you could ask
Does the City plan to start a reserve for the workplace-injury claims, and if so, from which year's budget?
How much of each year's operating budget goes toward landfill closure and asbestos costs?
Which of the reserves in the budget book, if any, are meant to cover these costs?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 9, Contingencies: the WSIB "has estimated liability for future benefit costs as at December 31, 2024 to be $16,359,800 ($15,209,500 in 2023)". "The City has $nil set aside in a reserve for WSIB self-insurance as at December 31, 2024 (nil in 2023)." Claims paid out during the year were $2,147,672 ($1,493,580 in 2023). Outside coverage is in place for certain types of claims "to limit any loss to $250,000".
Note 16, Asset Retirement Obligations: estimated total liability 31,370,637 (30,701,594 at the start of the year). Asbestos abatement: "The estimated total liability of $3,259,454". Landfill: "The estimated total liability of $28,111,184". For each: "The City has not designated funds for settling the abatement activities." The landfill estimate runs to 2105.
Note 6, Employee future benefits: the table lists "WSIB self-insured claims (Note 9)" 16,359,800 (15,209,500 in 2023) as part of employee future benefits payable of 32,990,244 (29,988,295 in 2023).
$7,579,000of unnamed "budget efficiency" savings in the 2026 operating budget (printed as 7,579 thousand)
On September 16, 2025, staff showed the Budget Committee a draft 2026 operating budget with total expenses of $304,647,270 and a gap of $13,039,990 between spending and revenue. The adopted 2026 budget balances at $293,500 thousand with a 5.9% tax increase. The City says Budget Committee and staff "reviewed every department to find efficiencies in staffing, materials, fleet management, and external contracts". A line called "Budget Efficiency" of negative $7,579 thousand now sits in the budget, spread across departments (negative $527 thousand in Fire Rescue Service and negative $183 thousand at Victoria Manor, for example). The staff slides listed ways to save: starting new positions later (about $1 million), leaving some jobs vacant on purpose, recovering wage costs from grants, and replacing outside contracts. The department pages we read show the amounts but not which positions or contracts make them up.
Why it matters
A budget cannot legally run a deficit. If planned savings do not appear, the shortfall is met by cutting service during the year or by a larger tax increase the next year. Residents can only judge that risk if the savings are listed.
It could be because…
Departments may have a list the book does not print. The savings may mostly be vacancies that normally occur: the City says it carries 20 to 25 vacancies every month.
The City says it found the savings through a review of every department. The Mayor's message says the early Long-Term Financial Plan pointed to a 7% increase, and the result was 5.9%.
The September slides were a first draft shown before the Budget Committee's work, so the gap was never a final shortfall.
Questions you could ask
Which positions, contracts and services make up the $7,579 thousand of "budget efficiency"?
How will Council be told during 2026 whether the savings are being met?
What was the tax increase in the September 2025 draft, and what changed between the draft and 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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Preliminary Operating Budget Overview (September 16, 2025): Total Revenue, Proposed Budget 2026 (291,607,280); Total Expenses, Proposed Budget 2026 304,647,270, against Budget 2025 270,514,639; the bottom line for 2026 is 13,039,990. Salaries, Wages and Benefits in the draft 126,978,887.
Personnel Budget Affordability Strategies: Position Phasing ("Deferring start dates of new positions to Q2 and Q3 to reduce first-year budget impact by approximately $1M"); Strategic Gapping ("Maintaining select vacant positions temporarily to offset wage pressures"); Revenue Recovery; Contract Optimization ("Reducing external contract expenses where new internal capacity can provide cost-effective alternatives").
Adopted 2026 operating budget summary (thousands of dollars): "Budget Efficiency" Budget 2026 (7,579). Total Expenses Budget 2026 293,500 (Budget 2025 270,515). The Mayor's message: "Budget Committee and staff reviewed every department to find efficiencies in staffing, materials, fleet management, and external contracts. The result is a 5.9% tax increase for 2026".
Mayor's Budget 2026 · Mayor's Message, PDF page 4; Operating Budget Summary, PDF pages 24 and 25
Department pages each carry their own "Budget Efficiency" line (thousands of dollars, Budget 2026): Fire Rescue Service (527); Victoria Manor (183). Each is shown as a single amount.
Mayor's Budget 2026 · Fire Rescue Service operating budget, PDF page 110; Victoria Manor operating budget, PDF page 233
3 reportsposted; two with pay-suspension recommendations (30 days and 90 days) and one with no penalty
The City posts three Integrity Commissioner reports. In March 2022 the Commissioner found that Councillor Ron Ashmore breached three sections of the Code of Conduct, and recommended that his pay be suspended for 30 days. In April 2022 the Commissioner found that Councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan, who was then on council, breached the Code and recommended a 90-day pay suspension. Under the law the City quotes, council may then reprimand a member or suspend pay for up to 90 days. In September 2025 a report on Councillor Dan Joyce found that one incorrect word in a statement to council was a breach but "trivial", and recommended no penalty. The City's page lists the reports and when they went to council. It does not say what council decided.
Why it matters
A watchdog report matters only if the people it is about, and the public, can see what happened next. A reader cannot tell from the City's page whether the pay suspensions were applied, changed to a reprimand, or not adopted.
It could be because…
Council's votes are in its minutes, which we could not open, so the outcomes may be public elsewhere.
Council may have chosen a reprimand, which the law also allows, or the member may have accepted a smaller step.
The 2022 reports are from the previous council term; some records may be filed under that term.
In the Ashmore report his lawyer accepted the factual findings and disputed only the penalty.
Questions you could ask
What did council decide on March 22, 2022 and May 17, 2022, and was any pay suspended?
Will the City add a column to its Integrity Commissioner report list showing the council decision and the date?
Was the October 21, 2025 report received without penalty?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Report IC-14166-0621, March 4, 2022: "I find that Councillor Ashmore breached sections 9.2 (a), 9.3 (c) and 4.1 (a) of the Code." "I therefore stand by my recommendation to Council that a 30 day suspension of remuneration is appropriate in these circumstances." Councillor Ashmore's counsel "accepts the factual findings but disputes the recommended sanction".
Report IC-16215-0422, April 25, 2022: "Councillor Seymour-Fagan has contravened sections 6.1(c) and 7.2 of the Code of Conduct." "We therefore recommend that Council suspend remuneration for her service as a Councillor for a period of 90 days."
Report IC-35567-0525, September 4, 2025: "I consider that this contravention was trivial" and the Commissioner recommends "that no penalty be imposed on Councillor Joyce for the contravention". The report says the contravention was "a single incorrect word in the context of his entire statement to Council".
The Accountability and Transparency page lists: Investigation Report IC-35567-0525 (Submitted to City Council on October 21, 2025); Investigation Report IC-16215-0422 (Submitted to City Council on May 17, 2022); Investigation Report IC-14166-0621 (Submitted to City Council on March 22, 2022). It shows no council decision beside any of them.
Kawartha Lakes spent $13.8M on running the city office in 2019 and $36.5M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of running the city office grow 165% in 6 years?
Running the city office
Prices (inflation)
+0%+50%+100%+150%+200%+250%
+165%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Running the city office
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+103%
+1%
2021
+182%
+4%
2022
+200%
+11%
2023
+219%
+16%
2024
+249%
+18%
2025
+165%
+21%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
Money spent running the office is money not spent on roads, water or safety. When office costs grow much faster than the services people see, it is fair to ask what the extra money is buying.
It could be because…
The city 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
What did the extra $22.7M a year pay for?
Why did senior management go from $14.1M to $20.2M?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Running the city office: 2019 $13.8M, 2020 $28M, 2021 $38.9M, 2022 $41.4M, 2023 $44M, 2024 $48.2M, 2025 $36.5M.
Kawartha Lakes spent $30M on roads and snow in 2019 and $52.9M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of roads and snow grow 77% in 6 years?
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
−20%+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%
+77%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
−9%
+1%
2021
−6%
+4%
2022
+11%
+11%
2023
+18%
+16%
2024
+24%
+18%
2025
+77%
+21%
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 city 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
What did the extra $22.9M a year pay for?
Why did paved roads go from $12.2M to $18.6M?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Kawartha Lakes spent $30.7M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $70.9M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of police, fire and safety grow 131% in 6 years?
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
−50%+0%+50%+100%+150%
+131%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
−3%
+1%
2021
−3%
+4%
2022
+2%
+11%
2023
+8%
+16%
2024
+21%
+18%
2025
+131%
+21%
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 city 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
What did the extra $40.2M a year pay for?
Why did fire department go from $7.0M to $11.9M?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $30.7M, 2020 $29.6M, 2021 $29.7M, 2022 $31.4M, 2023 $33.3M, 2024 $37.1M, 2025 $70.9M.
$96,226,000salaries and wages budgeted for 2026 (printed as 96,226 thousand), up from $84,213 thousand in 2025
The 2026 budget book shows salaries and wages of $79,202 thousand in 2024 (actual), $84,213 thousand budgeted for 2025 and $96,226 thousand for 2026, a rise of $12,013 thousand or about 14.3% (worked out by us). With benefits, the total is $125,535 thousand, which the City says is 43% of the operating budget. The City's full-time staffing tables list 731 positions in 2025 and 771 in 2026 across the departments shown, a rise of about 5.5% (worked out by us). The City explains the gap in part: it says newly ratified union contracts raised pay, and the staff slides say it is "reviewing compensation to align with 60th percentile of comparators". Part-time and seasonal staff and other budget lines are not in the position tables.
Why it matters
Pay is the biggest part of the City's spending, and a rise much larger than the number of new jobs is the part of the budget residents see as 'what it costs to run the City'. The City has given reasons; the open question is how much of the increase is each cause.
It could be because…
Several union contracts were ratified, and new pay rates apply across the year, not only to new hires.
Part-time and seasonal staff, students and paid-duty roles are not in the full-time tables, and wages for them may have risen.
A pay review that aims at the 60th percentile of comparators would lift pay where jobs have been hard to fill, which the City says takes four months to a year for some roles.
The 2025 budget may have been set before some settlements were known.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $12,013 thousand rise is contract settlements, how much is the 60th-percentile review, and how much is new positions?
What does the 60th-percentile target cost over the next three years?
Will the City post the salary and wage settlements it has ratified, in dollars, in the budget book?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Operating budget summary, Salaries, Wages and Benefits (thousands of dollars): Salaries and Wages Actual 2024 79,202; Budget 2025 84,213; Budget 2026 96,226; variance 12,013. Employer Paid Benefits 24,696; 25,553; 29,310; variance 3,756. Total 103,898; 109,766; 125,535; variance 15,769.
2026 Staffing Complement by Department (Full Time), totals for 2024, 2025 and 2026: Office of the CAO 48, 52, 54; Corporate Services 84, 95, 104; Community Services 80, 83, 89; Public Works 188, 192, 199; Engineering and Corporate Assets 30, 32, 33; Fire Services 36, 38, 42; Paramedic Services 73, 78, 80; Development Services 53, 57, 59; Human Services 88, 92, 98; Library 12, 12, 13.
"The gross salaries, wages and benefits in the 2026 Budget is $125 Million. This represents 43% of the City's overall Operating Budget." The text says collective bargaining "resulted in newly ratified contracts".
Strategic Staffing Investments slide: "Newly ratified union contracts mean fair pay and workplace stability" and "Reviewing compensation to align with 60th percentile of comparators".
July 31, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements, the latest we could find posted
The City's audited statements for 2024 carry the auditor's report date of July 31, 2025 and are posted. On October 5, 2026, nine months after the end of 2025, the Previous Budgets page says that for the 2025 financial statements residents should "contact the Supervisor, Treasury" by phone. We did not find the 2025 statements posted on the pages we read. The statements are the City's audited report card for the year.
Why it matters
Voters choosing a council on October 26 would normally be able to read the last full audited year. Without it, the 2024 statements, now almost two years old, are the latest audited picture.
It could be because…
The 2025 audit may be finished and sitting on a council agenda we could not open, with posting to follow.
The audit may be running later this year, because of the ice storm and wildfire response the City describes.
The statements may be posted on a page we did not read.
Questions you could ask
When did or will the 2025 audited statements go to council, and when will they be posted?
Will the City post a short note on its Budget and Finance page saying where the 2025 statements are?
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 Kawartha Lakes?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The page, under "2025 Mayor's Budget", says: "For 2025 Financial Statements, please contact the Supervisor, Treasury, at 705-324-9411 extension 3270", beside the link to the 2024 financial statements.
Independent Auditor's Report on the consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2024, signed Deloitte LLP and dated July 31, 2025: "present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the City".
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