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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Melancthon'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 · 10 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Melancthon's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 29 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.
$644,633from three community contribution lines in 2025 (worked out by us), about 12.0% of total revenue
In 2025 the Township's statements show three "community contribution" lines in other income: $309,000, $296,993 and $38,640. Added together (worked out by us) that is $644,633, about 12.0% of the $5,352,953 in total revenue. A note on commitments says one wind power company's payments run only through 2026 (Phase I) and 2028 (Phase II). The statements do not say what happens after.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$450,000operating loans at December 31, 2025, up from $290,000, with $50,000 of credit room left
At December 31, 2025 operating loans were $450,000, up from $290,000, and the cash flow statement shows the Township drew $160,000 more during the year. The same statements show cash and portfolio investments of $5,030,723, of which $3,685,617 was unrestricted cash. The loans bear interest at prime less 0.75%. The largest bank account is said to earn prime less 2.05%. The room left on the credit line fell to $50,000 from $210,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$1,007,419taxes receivable at December 31, 2025, up from $854,280
Taxes receivable (bills not yet paid) were $1,007,419 at December 31, 2025, up from $854,280. The statements' aging table puts $698,441 at 91 to 365 days, $293,795 at 1 to 2 years and $15,183 in the 3 to 5 year column. Penalties and interest on taxes came in at $135,941 against a budget of $105,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
13.8%rise in total expenses from 2024 to 2025 (worked out by us from $4,564,597 and $5,196,084)
Total expenses were $5,196,084 in 2025, against $4,564,597 in 2024, a rise of $631,487 or 13.8% (worked out by us). Transportation services alone rose by $500,345 (worked out by us), from $2,377,780 to $2,878,125. Amortization (the yearly wearing-out of assets, a bookkeeping cost) rose by $89,157 (worked out by us), so it explains only a small part. Materials rose from $1,101,274 to $1,401,034 and salaries and benefits from $1,337,231 to $1,479,565.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,320,348development charges held at December 31, 2025, with $8,500 used during the year
Development charges are fees the Township collects from builders to pay for growth. At the end of 2025 the Township held $1,320,348 of them. In 2025 it collected $104,014 and used only $8,500. The 2025 budget expected $686,500 of reserve fund money to be used for projects, against $122,481 actually used, and the 2024 statements show $760,000 budgeted against $128,020. Most of the 2025 amount used was Federal Gas Tax ($100,000), not development charges.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$200,000to be borrowed from the Equipment Reserve for the 7th Line road work, per the March 5, 2026 minutes
At the March 5, 2026 budget meeting the minutes say the 7th Line SW needed more than patch paving, that $125,000 was in the budget and $200,000 more was needed, and that Council decided to borrow it from the Equipment Reserve, with a repayment plan to be passed at the next meeting. The reserve for replacing equipment had already fallen in 2025, from $829,966 to $405,716. In the March 19 and April 2, 2026 minutes we found no repayment plan.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
At the end of 2025, $1.0M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 13% of everything billed. Only 5 of 29 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $854K.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$323,693recorded landfill closure and post-closure liability, from a 2008 estimate, against $181,871 in the reserve fund
The statements record $323,693 for closing and monitoring the old landfill, which the County of Dufferin took over on June 1, 2013. The note says the Township uses "the estimates in the report dated 2008" until an updated report exists, and describes the site as expected to be filled "in 2 years". A different note says the Township "has not identified any asset retirement obligations". The reserve fund set aside for the cost is $181,871.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$360,000planning in the 2026 budget, against $125,000 in the 2025 budget
The 2026 budget book shows planning at $360,000, up from $125,000 in the 2025 budget. The Township's own planning page explains part of the setting: Council hired outside experts to peer review a proposed quarry application, and reports on surface water and natural heritage were finished and sent to the applicant. We did not find a Township document saying how much of the $360,000 is for that work or whether the applicant pays it back.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$644,633from three community contribution lines in 2025 (worked out by us), about 12.0% of total revenue
In 2025 the Township's statements show three "community contribution" lines in other income: $309,000, $296,993 and $38,640. Added together (worked out by us) that is $644,633, about 12.0% of the $5,352,953 in total revenue. A note on commitments says one wind power company's payments run only through 2026 (Phase I) and 2028 (Phase II). The statements do not say what happens after.
Why it matters
Money that stops on a known date has to be replaced by other income or by taxes, or the Township spends less. Residents may want to know whether the plan is written down.
It could be because…
The agreements may be renewed or replaced, and the Township may already have a plan it has not posted.
The payments may already be set aside in reserves for later years.
The statements are written for the past year, so they would not normally describe a plan for the future.
Questions you could ask
What will replace the Phase I payments after 2026 and the Phase II payments after 2028?
Has Council discussed renewing these agreements, and is that written in a report we can read?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 11, Other income, 2025 actual: "CHD community contributions" $ 309,000, "Dufferin Wind community contributions" $ 296,993 and "Plateau community contributions" $ 38,640. Total other income is $ 1,075,900.
Note 15, Commitments: Phase I (45 wind turbine generators): the company "will pay the sum of $45,000 to the Township of Melancthon on or before March 31 for each year from 2007 through and including 2026." Phase II (66 turbines): "$264,000 ... for each year from 2009 through and including 2028." The note does not say which note 11 line these are.
$450,000operating loans at December 31, 2025, up from $290,000, with $50,000 of credit room left
At December 31, 2025 operating loans were $450,000, up from $290,000, and the cash flow statement shows the Township drew $160,000 more during the year. The same statements show cash and portfolio investments of $5,030,723, of which $3,685,617 was unrestricted cash. The loans bear interest at prime less 0.75%. The largest bank account is said to earn prime less 2.05%. The room left on the credit line fell to $50,000 from $210,000.
Why it matters
Borrowing on demand loans while holding cash costs interest if the loan rate is higher than the rate the cash earns. It also leaves little room on the credit line.
It could be because…
Much of the cash is set aside in reserves and reserve funds, and the Township may prefer to borrow short term rather than draw on them.
The loan may cover the gap before tax bills are paid or before the county and school board shares are sent on.
Cash may be low at other times of year than December 31, so the year-end figure may not show why the loan is needed.
Questions you could ask
What was the loan used for, and what is the plan to repay it?
Why not use unrestricted cash instead, given the loan rate is higher than the rate that account earns?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 2: Unrestricted cash $ 3,685,617 and restricted cash 1,342,468. "Unrestricted cash includes $2,296,112 (2024 - $2,908,544) held in one account at a chartered bank. Interest is earned on this account at a rate of prime less 2.05%."
Note 4: "The operating loans are due on demand and bear interest at a rate of prime less 0.75%... At December 31, 2025, the municipality had undrawn credit capacity of $50,000 (2024 - $210,000)."
$1,007,419taxes receivable at December 31, 2025, up from $854,280
Taxes receivable (bills not yet paid) were $1,007,419 at December 31, 2025, up from $854,280. The statements' aging table puts $698,441 at 91 to 365 days, $293,795 at 1 to 2 years and $15,183 in the 3 to 5 year column. Penalties and interest on taxes came in at $135,941 against a budget of $105,000.
Why it matters
Unpaid taxes are income the Township has not received. Older balances are harder to collect, and the Township still pays its share to the county and school boards.
It could be because…
Part of the balance is owed on behalf of the County of Dufferin and the school boards, which the Township collects and passes on. The statements do not say how much.
Every Ontario municipality carries tax arrears for a few years before it can take steps to recover them.
A good part of the balance may be from a small number of properties.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $1,007,419 is the Township's own share, and how much is owed to the county and school boards?
What steps does the Township take to collect balances older than one 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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of Financial Position: Taxes receivable 1,007,419 (2024: 854,280).
13.8%rise in total expenses from 2024 to 2025 (worked out by us from $4,564,597 and $5,196,084)
Total expenses were $5,196,084 in 2025, against $4,564,597 in 2024, a rise of $631,487 or 13.8% (worked out by us). Transportation services alone rose by $500,345 (worked out by us), from $2,377,780 to $2,878,125. Amortization (the yearly wearing-out of assets, a bookkeeping cost) rose by $89,157 (worked out by us), so it explains only a small part. Materials rose from $1,101,274 to $1,401,034 and salaries and benefits from $1,337,231 to $1,479,565.
Why it matters
A rise this large in one year changes what the Township needs to raise from taxes in later years, unless it is a one-off.
It could be because…
Council may have planned larger road work in 2025, and the amount spent on roads can vary a lot from year to year.
Higher prices for gravel, fuel and contracted work.
The Township reports it contributes to OMERS for 13 staff members in 2025, up from 11 in 2024, which may account for part of the salary increase.
Questions you could ask
Which road and equipment projects account for the $500,345 increase in transportation expenses?
How much of the 2025 rise is a one-time cost, and how much will repeat in 2026?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of Operations, expenses: total 5,196,084 (2025 actual) against 4,564,597 (2024 actual). Transportation services 2,878,125 (2024: 2,377,780). General government 908,072 (2024: 901,893). Protection to persons and property 944,993 (2024: 810,928).
Schedule 1, expenses by type, 2025 and 2024: Salaries and benefits $1,479,565 and $1,337,231; Materials $1,401,034 and $1,101,274; Contracted services 781,408 and 701,008; Amortization 1,069,056 and 979,899.
$1,320,348development charges held at December 31, 2025, with $8,500 used during the year
Development charges are fees the Township collects from builders to pay for growth. At the end of 2025 the Township held $1,320,348 of them. In 2025 it collected $104,014 and used only $8,500. The 2025 budget expected $686,500 of reserve fund money to be used for projects, against $122,481 actually used, and the 2024 statements show $760,000 budgeted against $128,020. Most of the 2025 amount used was Federal Gas Tax ($100,000), not development charges.
Why it matters
These fees can only be spent on growth-related projects. Two years of planned use that did not happen means projects have been delayed or dropped.
It could be because…
The money is being held for a larger growth project that has not started, such as the sidewalk project the 2026 budget mentions.
Projects that were budgeted for 2024 and 2025 may have been delayed by planning, grants or contractor availability.
Questions you could ask
Which growth projects are the development charges being held for, and when are they planned?
Why was the planned use of reserve fund money more than five times the amount used in both 2024 and 2025?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 7, Deferred revenue, Development charges: opening $1,189,430, contributions received $ 104,014, investment income $ 35,404, revenue recognized $ (8,500), ending $1,320,348. Federal Gas Tax: revenue recognized (100,000). Total obligatory reserve funds, revenue recognized $ (122,481).
$200,000to be borrowed from the Equipment Reserve for the 7th Line road work, per the March 5, 2026 minutes
At the March 5, 2026 budget meeting the minutes say the 7th Line SW needed more than patch paving, that $125,000 was in the budget and $200,000 more was needed, and that Council decided to borrow it from the Equipment Reserve, with a repayment plan to be passed at the next meeting. The reserve for replacing equipment had already fallen in 2025, from $829,966 to $405,716. In the March 19 and April 2, 2026 minutes we found no repayment plan.
Why it matters
Using a reserve for something other than its purpose is allowed, but without a repayment plan the equipment fund is left lower, and the next truck or grader purchase has to be paid for another way.
It could be because…
The repayment plan may have been passed in a later meeting or in a staff report we did not read: we read only the March 19 and April 2, 2026 minutes.
Borrowing from your own reserve avoids paying interest to a bank.
The equipment plan may not need the money for several years.
Questions you could ask
Was a repayment plan for the $200,000 passed, and what does it say?
What is the Equipment Reserve balance now, and what equipment is planned over the next five years?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Budget meeting, March 5, 2026: "$125,000 is currently in the budget for this work and that $200,000 more would be required. Council decided that they would borrow this money from the Equipment Reserve and Sarah Culshaw, Treasurer advised that a motion would need to be passed at the next meeting identifying the repayment plan for the money borrowed."
Melancthon spent $536K on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $864K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of police, fire and safety grow 61% in 6 years?
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%
+61%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+8%
+1%
2021
+19%
+4%
2022
+34%
+11%
2023
+46%
+16%
2024
+39%
+18%
2025
+61%
+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 town 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 $328K a year pay for?
Why did fire department go from $97,541 to $245K?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $536K, 2020 $578K, 2021 $636K, 2022 $716K, 2023 $785K, 2024 $742K, 2025 $864K.
At the end of 2025, $1.0M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 13% of everything billed. Only 5 of 29 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $854K.
Why are so many property taxes unpaid?
$0$200K$400K$600K$800K$1.0M$1.2M
$1.0M
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Unpaid property tax at year end
2019
$665K
2020
$698K
2021
$653K
2022
$768K
2023
$876K
2024
$854K
2025
$1.0M
Why it matters
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
It could be because…
The final tax bill was due late in the year, so some payments simply arrived in January.
A few large properties are in dispute or being sold for back taxes.
Hard times for residents, which the town may be handling with payment plans.
Questions you could ask
How much is more than one year overdue, and from how many properties?
Are the rules for chasing unpaid taxes applied the same way to everyone?
Has the town registered tax arrears certificates on properties about two years behind? If still unpaid a year after that, Ontario law lets the town sell the property.
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Taxes receivable: 2019 $665K, 2020 $698K, 2021 $653K, 2022 $768K, 2023 $876K, 2024 $854K, 2025 $1.0M. Of the 2025 total, $268K was from earlier years.
$323,693recorded landfill closure and post-closure liability, from a 2008 estimate, against $181,871 in the reserve fund
The statements record $323,693 for closing and monitoring the old landfill, which the County of Dufferin took over on June 1, 2013. The note says the Township uses "the estimates in the report dated 2008" until an updated report exists, and describes the site as expected to be filled "in 2 years". A different note says the Township "has not identified any asset retirement obligations". The reserve fund set aside for the cost is $181,871.
Why it matters
A cost estimate from 2008, almost 20 years old by our count, may be too low or too high. The two notes also appear to say opposite things, which a reader cannot sort out without help.
It could be because…
The County of Dufferin runs the site, so the Township may be waiting on the County for new numbers.
The policy note may be standard wording that was not updated when the liability was recorded.
The estimate may have been adjusted for inflation, as the liability moved from $309,015 to $323,693.
Questions you could ask
Is an updated landfill closure estimate planned, and who will pay for it?
Which statement is right, note 1(l) or note 5?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 5: "Effective June 1, 2013, the County of Dufferin assumed the landfill from the municipality... the estimates in the report dated 2008 will be used until an updated report is available. The liability for the landfill site is recorded at $323,693 (2024 - $309,015)... The total estimated future expenses for closure and post-closure care are $525,840... The estimated remaining capacity of the site's opened cells is approximately 140,700 tonnes, which was expected to be filled in 2 years." The reserve fund has "$181,871 available".
$360,000planning in the 2026 budget, against $125,000 in the 2025 budget
The 2026 budget book shows planning at $360,000, up from $125,000 in the 2025 budget. The Township's own planning page explains part of the setting: Council hired outside experts to peer review a proposed quarry application, and reports on surface water and natural heritage were finished and sent to the applicant. We did not find a Township document saying how much of the $360,000 is for that work or whether the applicant pays it back.
Why it matters
Planning fees tied to one application can be recovered from the applicant or paid from taxes. Residents may want to know which.
It could be because…
The extra money may be for the quarry peer reviews and legal advice, which the Township's page says are under way.
The Township may recover these costs from the applicant, as is common for outside reviews.
The budget also has an Official Plan item, and part of the increase may be for that.
Questions you could ask
How much of the 2026 planning budget is for the quarry applications, and is it recovered from the applicant?
What has been spent so far on outside experts for the quarry applications?
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 Melancthon?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"July 9, 2026 - The Council of the Township of Melancthon has retained Christopher J. Neville, Chief Hydrogeologist with S.S. Papadopulos and Associates, Inc. to undertake the Groundwater Modelling Peer Review for the Strada Aggregates Inc., applications." Surface water and natural heritage peer reviews "have been completed and sent to Representatives of Strada Aggregates."
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