Questions · 8 so far
We read Lake of Bays' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 51 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+74%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Lake of Bays spent $1.4M on running the town office in 2019 and $2.5M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 4 of 51 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
9.06%tax rate increase approved for 2024, against a ten-year average of 2.99% a year
In March 2023 the Township said its tax rate had risen "on average 2.99 per cent annually over the past 10 years". Its own releases then give 6 per cent for the 2023 levy, 9.06% for the 2024 tax rate and 4.27% for the 2026 tax rate. These are different measures (levy against rate), and we did not find the 2025 figure on the pages we could read. All three are above 2.99%.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+11%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, Lake of Bays collected $719K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 11% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 9 of 51 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 9% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 1.5%.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 4 sources
+74%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
Lake of Bays spent $1.2M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $2.1M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$4.1Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Lake of Bays had $4.1M saved at the end of 2024, up from $2.1M in 2019. That is 40% of one year's spending. Only 10 of 51 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
4.27%municipal tax rate increase in the adopted 2026 budget, against 5.56% for the levy in the draft
In October 2025 the Township said its draft 2026 budget "includes a 5.56% tax levy increase". On December 9, 2025 council adopted a revised budget that, in the Township's words, lowers "the municipal tax rate increase to 4.27 percent". The budget summary image also shows 2.5% assessment growth. A levy is the total tax money raised, and a rate is applied to every property's value. By our own rough arithmetic (worked out by us), a 4.27% rate increase on 2.5% more assessment would raise the dollar levy by about 6.9% (worked out by us: 1.0427 x 1.025 = 1.0688). If so, the adopted levy increase is not lower than the draft's 5.56%. We cannot tell, because the draft and the adopted budget documents are on the portal we could not read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
The Township's 2026 budget release says the budget includes new fire service staffing "to support the Township's transition to an independent fire department". The budget summary image says the Township spends 11% of its share of tax dollars on fire. We did not find the cost of the transition, or what it replaces, in any page we could read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Council approved a Municipal Accommodation Tax of 4% on stays in hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals, starting January 1, 2026. Half of the money goes to a new independent destination marketing organization and half stays with the Township. The first payment from accommodation providers was due April 30, 2026. We did not find a report of how much was collected.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
+74%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Lake of Bays spent $1.4M on running the town office in 2019 and $2.5M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 4 of 51 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +6% | +1% |
| 2021 | +41% | +4% |
| 2022 | +34% | +11% |
| 2023 | +58% | +16% |
| 2024 | +74% | +18% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $1.4M, 2020 $1.5M, 2021 $2.0M, 2022 $1.9M, 2023 $2.3M, 2024 $2.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Office and administration, from $1.2M to $2.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 41%. Lake of Bays ranks 5th of 52.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 51 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
9.06%tax rate increase approved for 2024, against a ten-year average of 2.99% a year
In March 2023 the Township said its tax rate had risen "on average 2.99 per cent annually over the past 10 years". Its own releases then give 6 per cent for the 2023 levy, 9.06% for the 2024 tax rate and 4.27% for the 2026 tax rate. These are different measures (levy against rate), and we did not find the 2025 figure on the pages we could read. All three are above 2.99%.
Taxes that grow faster than inflation and faster than the Township's own history deserve a plain explanation. The Township also says it has one of the lowest residential tax rates in Muskoka, so part of the answer may be catching up.
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 Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The release says the 2023 budget "has a net levy of $6,378,496, representing a 6 per cent increase in the tax levy, resulting in an additional $32.88 in taxes for a property assessed at $300,000". It also says "The tax rate in Lake of Bays has increased on average 2.99 per cent annually over the past 10 years."
Media Release: Township of Lake of Bays Council Approves 2023 Municipal Budget (March 14, 2023) · First paragraph and "Quick Facts", read October 14, 2026
The release says the 2024 budget "contains a 9.06% tax rate increase over 2023", an estimated increase of "$52.77 per year" for a $300,000 home. It says the Township has "the 2nd lowest residential tax rate in all of Muskoka".
Media Release: Township of Lake of Bays Approves Final 2024 Municipal Budget (February 14, 2024) · First paragraph, read October 14, 2026
The release says the revised 2026 budget "lowers the municipal tax rate increase to 4.27 percent", or "$28.83 per year" for a $300,000 home.
Township of Lake of Bays Approves 2026 Budget and Business Plan (media release, December 9, 2025) · Second paragraph, read October 14, 2026
+11%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, Lake of Bays collected $719K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 11% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 9 of 51 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 9% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 1.5%.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5.6M |
| 2020 | $5.7M |
| 2021 | $5.8M |
| 2022 | $6.0M |
| 2023 | $6.5M |
| 2024 | $7.2M |
A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $140 more each year.
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 Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $6,461,474 in 2023, $7,180,204 in 2024.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 51 similar Ontario towns: 7.6%. Lake of Bays ranks 10th highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 51 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Residential tax rate (town share): 0.194% in 2023, 0.212% in 2024. Residential assessment: $3.2B to $3.3B.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 22, residential (RT) · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.4% over the same year.
+74%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
Lake of Bays spent $1.2M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $2.1M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +5% | +1% |
| 2021 | +34% | +4% |
| 2022 | +55% | +11% |
| 2023 | +75% | +16% |
| 2024 | +74% | +18% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $1.2M, 2020 $1.3M, 2021 $1.6M, 2022 $1.9M, 2023 $2.1M, 2024 $2.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Building permits, from $494K to $886K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$4.1Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Lake of Bays had $4.1M saved at the end of 2024, up from $2.1M in 2019. That is 40% of one year's spending. Only 10 of 51 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $2.1M |
| 2020 | $2.9M |
| 2021 | $4.2M |
| 2022 | $3.4M |
| 2023 | $3.9M |
| 2024 | $4.1M |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real cost.
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 Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $2.1M, 2020 $2.9M, 2021 $4.2M, 2022 $3.4M, 2023 $3.9M, 2024 $4.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 80% of a year's spending. Lake of Bays: 40%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 51 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
4.27%municipal tax rate increase in the adopted 2026 budget, against 5.56% for the levy in the draft
In October 2025 the Township said its draft 2026 budget "includes a 5.56% tax levy increase". On December 9, 2025 council adopted a revised budget that, in the Township's words, lowers "the municipal tax rate increase to 4.27 percent". The budget summary image also shows 2.5% assessment growth. A levy is the total tax money raised, and a rate is applied to every property's value. By our own rough arithmetic (worked out by us), a 4.27% rate increase on 2.5% more assessment would raise the dollar levy by about 6.9% (worked out by us: 1.0427 x 1.025 = 1.0688). If so, the adopted levy increase is not lower than the draft's 5.56%. We cannot tell, because the draft and the adopted budget documents are on the portal we could not read.
Residents compare the draft and the final number to see what council cut. If the two numbers measure different things, the cut is hard to see.
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 Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The release says "The proposed budget includes a 5.56% tax levy increase."
Media Release: Draft 2026 Budget and Business Plan to be reviewed at November 11 Council meeting (October 30, 2025) · "Financial Highlights", read October 14, 2026
The release says council "directed staff to return with options to reduce the overall levy impact" and that the revised budget "lowers the municipal tax rate increase to 4.27 percent". For a $300,000 home, "an increase of $28.83 per year on the municipal portion of the tax bill".
Township of Lake of Bays Approves 2026 Budget and Business Plan (media release, December 9, 2025) · Second and third paragraphs, read October 14, 2026
The image shows "$12.5 MILLION Total Budget", "4.27% Municipal Tax Rate Increase" and "2.5% Assessment Growth", and "$28.83 / year" or "$2.40 / month" for a residential property with a $300,000 unchanged assessment.
2026 Approved Budget at a Glance (infographic image) · Top banner and "What does this mean for property owners?" panel (image, no text layer; read on a second 2x render)
The Township's 2026 budget release says the budget includes new fire service staffing "to support the Township's transition to an independent fire department". The budget summary image says the Township spends 11% of its share of tax dollars on fire. We did not find the cost of the transition, or what it replaces, in any page we could read.
A new municipal service is a lasting cost. Residents can weigh it only if the Township says what it costs each year and what it replaces.
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 Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The release lists "new fire service staffing to support the Township's transition to an independent fire department" among the 2026 budget highlights.
Township of Lake of Bays Approves 2026 Budget and Business Plan (media release, December 9, 2025) · Key budget highlights, read October 14, 2026
The release says "The transition to an independent Lake of Bays Fire Service better meets future needs and strengthens local decision-making."
Media Release: Draft 2026 Budget and Business Plan to be reviewed at November 11 Council meeting (October 30, 2025) · "Tailored Emergency Response", read October 14, 2026
The "Where Your Municipal Tax Dollars Go" chart shows Fire at 11% of the Township's share for 2026 capital and operating. The nine shares printed on the chart add to 100% (worked out by us).
2026 Approved Budget at a Glance (infographic image) · "Where Your Municipal Tax Dollars Go" panel (image, no text layer; read on a second 2x render)
Council approved a Municipal Accommodation Tax of 4% on stays in hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals, starting January 1, 2026. Half of the money goes to a new independent destination marketing organization and half stays with the Township. The first payment from accommodation providers was due April 30, 2026. We did not find a report of how much was collected.
Half of a new tax is handed to an outside group. Residents can only follow the money if the Township reports what came in and how each half was spent.
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 Lake of Bays? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The release says a "four percent (4%) MAT" applies from January 1, 2026. "Half of all MAT proceeds will be managed by a newly established independent Lake of Bays Destination Marketing Organization" and "The remaining fifty percent (50%) of revenue will be retained by the Township". It says "The first deadline for remittance is April 30, 2026."
Lake of Bays Council Approves Municipal Accommodation Tax to Boost Tourism (media release, October 14, 2025) · Body of the release, read October 14, 2026
