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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Lanark Highlands'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.
A clear, checkable guide to Lanark Highlands' budget, taxes and council decisions. A large rural township in Lanark County with about 5,750 people, a Reeve, a Deputy Reeve and five ward councillors. Every figure links back to the public record.
September 9, 2025the date of the auditor's report on the 2023 statements, for a year that ended December 31, 2023
The auditor's reports on the Township's yearly statements are dated June 27, 2023 (for 2021), November 28, 2023 (for 2022), September 9, 2025 (for 2023) and November 25, 2025 (for 2024). The 2025 statements are dated September 8, 2026. Each year ended on December 31. Audited statements are the main public check on how a town spent its money, so a long wait means residents see the results late.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
2018the year the Ombudsman first recommended complete closed meeting minutes, and again in 2024
In August 2024 the Ontario Ombudsman, the Township's closed meeting investigator, looked at a Committee of the Whole meeting on June 27, 2023. It found the closed discussion itself was allowed, but that the Committee broke the law by not keeping an adequate record of it. It said it had told the Township the same thing in a 2018 report.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Cash fell from $8,539,165 to $6,888,651 during 2025, and net financial assets (what the Township has in the bank and owed to it, less what it owes) fell from $3,784,190 to $2,293,724. The budget planned to add $367,057 to reserves (savings set aside for later). The statements show reserves fell by $156,117. The working capital reserve dropped from $893,674 to $638,795. The Township spent $2,527,263 on assets against a budget of $496,120.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$420,785estimated yearly repayments once the new borrowing is in place, per the 2026 budget book
The 2026 budget book says the Township "has no long term debt" but that borrowing began with the 2025 approved budget, for fire trucks, a plow truck and the Sheridan Rapids Bridge. It lists estimated yearly repayments of $221,117 for 2026 and $199,668 more from 2027, an overall $420,785, against an internal limit of $1,067,737. The audited statements also report an agreement for two vehicles at an estimated $1,548,000, to be paid for by outside financing in 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$4,817,936owed for asset retirement obligations (mostly landfills) at December 31, 2025
The Township owns seven landfill sites, three still active and four closed. It owes $4,817,936 for closing them and caring for them afterward (the liability for asset retirement obligations). The statements say the landfills had an estimated remaining life of 2 to 10 years. The statements list $3,133,698 of landfill costs as not yet financed, and none of the Township's listed reserves is named for landfills.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
Taxes receivable (property taxes billed and not yet paid) stood at $1,073,914 at the end of 2023, $1,508,139 at the end of 2024 and $1,528,682 at the end of 2025. That is a rise of $454,768 over two years (worked out by us). Part of the amount is collected for the County and school boards, which the Township must pay out whether or not residents have paid.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
At the end of 2025, $1.5M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 12% of everything billed. Only 1 of 36 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.5M.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$4,071,456spent on transportation services in 2025, against a budget of $2,891,663
The 2025 statements show transportation services (roads, bridges and public works) at $4,071,456 against a budget of $2,891,663, a gap of $1,179,793 (worked out by us). Across all services the gap was $1,880,986 (worked out by us). The Township explains that its budget is not set the same way as the audited results, and the budget leaves out amortization (the yearly wearing-out cost of assets), which the statements include.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Where your tax bill goes
A property tax bill in Lanark Highlands pays for three governments. Only part of it goes to the town, and that part is what Lanark Highlands council controls.
Tax bill split: Lanark Highlands 57%, County or region 31%, Schools 12%
$12.4Mraised in 2025
Lanark Highlands57%
County or region31%
Schools12%
How Lanark Highlands' share of the bill compares with similar towns
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