Questions · 10 so far
We read Mississippi Mills' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 79 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+119%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Mississippi Mills spent $1.6M on running the town office in 2019 and $3.5M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 79 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.
$8,956,525of bank financing in the 2026 budget, against $4,038,823 in the 2025 budget
The biggest project in the 2026 budget is the new childcare centre at 111 Menzie Street in Almonte. The budget plans $8,956,525 of bank financing across all 2026 projects, more than double the $4,038,823 planned for 2025. The audited statements say the centre will be paid for from grants, long-term debt and reserves, but neither document says how much of the centre is borrowed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 6 sources
$(978,581)net financial assets (debt) at the end of 2024, down from $2,914,588 a year earlier
At the end of 2023 the Municipality owned more in financial assets (cash, investments, money owed to it) than it owed, by $2,914,588. At the end of 2024 it owed more than it held, by $978,581. Savings in reserves (money set aside for later) fell from $19,515,973 to $17,947,598, and the 2026 budget plans to take $8,120,936 from reserves, against $3,503,307 in the 2025 budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 7 sources
$985,826of building permit fees budgeted for 2026, against $342,688 collected in 2024
The building department is paid for by its own fees, not by property taxes. The 2026 budget expects $985,826 from building permits. That is 56.8% more than the 2025 budget ($628,548, a percentage the budget prints) and nearly three times (worked out by us) the $342,688 actually collected in 2024. In 2023 and 2024 the department also took money from its reserve to cover costs. The 2026 budget plans no reserve transfer.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$62,178spent on building department legal fees in 2024, against $6,097 budgeted for 2025
The building department's legal fees were $62,178 in 2024, compared with $10,238 in 2023 and $13,760 in 2022. The 2025 budget set aside $6,097 and the 2026 budget sets aside $6,249. The budget book does not say what the 2024 legal work was.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$1,186typical yearly water and wastewater bill proposed for 2026, up from about $1,076 at 2025 rates
The town's rate study, dated June 16, 2025, proposes that the typical home's water and wastewater bill rise from about $1,076 to $1,186 in 2026, and then by 10.4% to 11.1% a year. The 2026 budget counts on $5,086,775 of water bill revenue, compared with $4,332,776 actually collected in 2024 (a rise of about 17%, worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,264per home on long-term debt, 2024
Mississippi Mills spent about $3,264 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $1,237. Only 8 of 79 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
10.92%increase in the 2026 police budget, to $2,242,394
Mississippi Mills pays the Ontario Provincial Police under a contract. The 2026 budget raises the police budget by 10.92% to $2,242,394. The town explains the increase: a 2024 repeal of a provincial law that capped public-sector wages, and a one-time $339,441 of provincial relief in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,731,720spent on social and family services in 2024, against a budget of $3,328,698
In the audited 2024 statements, general government spent $3,621,445 against a budget of $3,335,373. Protection to persons and property spent $4,831,018 against $4,342,968. Social and family services spent $3,731,720 against $3,328,698. That is about 8.6%, 11.2% and 12.1% over (worked out by us). Total expenses were $28,924,513 against $28,497,542, close to budget overall.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$150,000difference between two 2026 budget totals in the same book (worked out by us)
The 2026 budget book's summary table (Schedule A) gives total revenue and total expenditures of $55,845,738. The Revenues section of the same book says revenue sources for 2026 are budgeted at $55,995,738, which is $150,000 more.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+119%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Mississippi Mills spent $1.6M on running the town office in 2019 and $3.5M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 79 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +15% | +1% |
| 2021 | +12% | +4% |
| 2022 | +64% | +11% |
| 2023 | +82% | +16% |
| 2024 | +119% | +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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $1.6M, 2020 $1.8M, 2021 $1.8M, 2022 $2.6M, 2023 $2.9M, 2024 $3.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Senior management, from $950K to $3.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 48%. Mississippi Mills ranks 2nd of 80.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 79 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$8,956,525of bank financing in the 2026 budget, against $4,038,823 in the 2025 budget
The biggest project in the 2026 budget is the new childcare centre at 111 Menzie Street in Almonte. The budget plans $8,956,525 of bank financing across all 2026 projects, more than double the $4,038,823 planned for 2025. The audited statements say the centre will be paid for from grants, long-term debt and reserves, but neither document says how much of the centre is borrowed.
Borrowed money has to be paid back with interest, usually over many years, out of taxes, fees or grants. Residents deserve to know the share of the centre that is borrowed, how long it takes to repay and who pays.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2026 budget summary (Schedule A) lists capital spending of $25,533,075, of which Childcare is $11,786,124, and shows Bank Financing of $8,956,525 as a source of money for the year.
2026 Municipal Budget · Schedule A, 2026 Operating & Capital Budget and Tax Levy Requirement, PDF page 16
The 2026 capital list shows $10,500,000 for the Mississippi Mills Childcare Centre and $1,286,124 for program supplies and equipment, a total of $11,786,124 for childcare.
2026 Municipal Budget · Capital - New Projects, Childcare, PDF page 134
The budget says construction at 111 Menzie Street "is on budget and on track, with completion expected in September 2026".
2026 Municipal Budget · Childcare Services, PDF page 86
The 2025 budget summary shows Bank Financing of $4,038,823 for 2025.
2025 Final Budget · Schedule A, 2025 Operating & Capital Budget and Tax Levy Requirement, PDF page 22
Note 12(e) says the Municipality has a contract for the construction of a child care facility "awarded in the amount of $9,923,021", with construction expected to start in 2025 and finish in 2026. It says: "The project is expected to be funded from grants, long term debt and reserves."
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Note 12, Commitments, PDF page 26
Long-term liabilities (debt) were $21,563,016 at the end of 2024, up from $19,106,771 a year earlier. Principal due is $1,969,702 in 2026 and $3,183,561 in 2029.
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7; Note 7(b), PDF page 23
$(978,581)net financial assets (debt) at the end of 2024, down from $2,914,588 a year earlier
At the end of 2023 the Municipality owned more in financial assets (cash, investments, money owed to it) than it owed, by $2,914,588. At the end of 2024 it owed more than it held, by $978,581. Savings in reserves (money set aside for later) fell from $19,515,973 to $17,947,598, and the 2026 budget plans to take $8,120,936 from reserves, against $3,503,307 in the 2025 budget.
Reserves are a cushion for repairs and surprises. Net debt is not alarming for a growing town building infrastructure, but residents should know how fast the cushion is being used and how it will be refilled.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Net financial assets (debt) were $(978,581) in 2024 and $2,914,588 in 2023. Cash fell from $18,661,818 to $14,561,546.
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7
The Municipality bought tangible capital assets (buildings, roads, vehicles and the like) worth $12,805,066 in 2024, against a budget of $15,732,233.
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Statement of Changes in Net Financial Assets (Debt), PDF page 9
Reserves and reserve fund balances were $17,947,598 at the end of 2024, $19,515,973 at the end of 2023 and $20,068,262 at the start of 2023. The 2024 budget expected $16,335,755 at the end of 2024.
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Schedule 1, Continuity of Reserves and Reserve Funds, PDF page 36
Note 17 compares the budget to the actual results. Net transfers from reserves were $(3,180,218) in the budget and $(1,568,375) in the actual results, and unfinanced capital (projects started before their money was in hand) grew by $(759,230).
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Note 17, Budget information, PDF page 34
Note 8 lists unfinanced capital projects for roads of $(4,767,723) at the end of 2024, against $(4,008,493) at the end of 2023.
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Note 8, Accumulated municipal equity, PDF page 23
The 2026 budget summary shows Transfer from Reserves of $8,120,936 as a source of money for 2026.
2026 Municipal Budget · Schedule A, PDF page 16
The 2025 budget summary shows Transfer from Reserves of $3,503,307 as a source of money for 2025.
2025 Final Budget · Schedule A, PDF page 22
$985,826of building permit fees budgeted for 2026, against $342,688 collected in 2024
The building department is paid for by its own fees, not by property taxes. The 2026 budget expects $985,826 from building permits. That is 56.8% more than the 2025 budget ($628,548, a percentage the budget prints) and nearly three times (worked out by us) the $342,688 actually collected in 2024. In 2023 and 2024 the department also took money from its reserve to cover costs. The 2026 budget plans no reserve transfer.
If permit fees come in short and there is no reserve transfer, the department either cuts costs, draws down its reserve or the gap lands elsewhere. It also matters for builders and home owners who pay the fees.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Building Permits revenue is budgeted at $985,826 for 2026 and $628,548 for 2025. Actual permit revenue was $342,688 in 2024, $372,503 in 2023 and $567,482 in 2022.
2026 Municipal Budget · Building Department, Revenue, account 1-109-9402-0010, PDF page 21
The same page shows a Transfer from Reserves into the building department of $231,987 in the 2025 budget, $440,358 in 2024 and $240,598 in 2023, and none in the 2026 budget.
2026 Municipal Budget · Building Department, Revenue, account 1-109-9490-0010, PDF page 21
The user-fee summary shows building department revenue of $993,395 budgeted for 2026 and $786,912 actual in 2024, and expenditures of $993,395 for 2026 and $785,822 in 2024.
2026 Municipal Budget · Summary, User Fee Funded Summaries, lines 24 and 25, PDF page 15
$62,178spent on building department legal fees in 2024, against $6,097 budgeted for 2025
The building department's legal fees were $62,178 in 2024, compared with $10,238 in 2023 and $13,760 in 2022. The 2025 budget set aside $6,097 and the 2026 budget sets aside $6,249. The budget book does not say what the 2024 legal work was.
Building department costs are paid from permit fees. A one-time legal bill is normal, but a bill ten times the budget is worth an explanation, and whether it could happen again.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Building department Legal Fees (account 1-211-0241-5130) are budgeted at $6,249 for 2026 and $6,097 for 2025. Actual legal fees were $62,178 in 2024, $10,238 in 2023 and $13,760 in 2022.
2026 Municipal Budget · Building Department, Expenditures, line 20, PDF page 21
$1,186typical yearly water and wastewater bill proposed for 2026, up from about $1,076 at 2025 rates
The town's rate study, dated June 16, 2025, proposes that the typical home's water and wastewater bill rise from about $1,076 to $1,186 in 2026, and then by 10.4% to 11.1% a year. The 2026 budget counts on $5,086,775 of water bill revenue, compared with $4,332,776 actually collected in 2024 (a rise of about 17%, worked out by us).
Water and sewer service is paid for only by the people connected to it, not by general property tax. Bills going up this fast over many years add up for households and businesses on the system.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The rate study says: for an average residential customer using 130 m3 of water a year, the bill in 2025 at current rates would be approximately $1,076, and the proposed 2026 rates would give a bill of $1,186, "followed thereafter by annual increases ranging from 10.4% to 11.1%".
2025 Water and Wastewater Asset Management Plan and Rate Study · Section 6.1, Forecast Water and Wastewater Rate Impacts, PDF page 62
Water Bill Revenue is budgeted at $5,086,775 for 2026 and $4,857,687 for 2025. Actual water bill revenue was $4,332,776 in 2024 and $4,189,819 in 2023. Total water and sewer revenue is budgeted at $5,568,422 for 2026, against $4,804,769 actual in 2024.
2026 Municipal Budget · Water and Sewer, Revenue, account 1-108-0910-0010, PDF page 44
The budget says: "water and wastewater costs are 100 per cent covered by user fees paid by those on municipal water/wastewater services."
2026 Municipal Budget · Water & Sewer, PDF page 42
$3,264per home on long-term debt, 2024
Mississippi Mills spent about $3,264 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $1,237. Only 8 of 79 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Long-term debt per home: Mississippi Mills $3,264; typical similar town $1,237; ranked 9th highest of 80.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 79 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
10.92%increase in the 2026 police budget, to $2,242,394
Mississippi Mills pays the Ontario Provincial Police under a contract. The 2026 budget raises the police budget by 10.92% to $2,242,394. The town explains the increase: a 2024 repeal of a provincial law that capped public-sector wages, and a one-time $339,441 of provincial relief in 2025.
Policing is one of the biggest costs on the tax bill. The town has explained why it rose, so this is context rather than a concern. The open question is what comes next.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The budget says: "The OPP contract had a large impact on this year's budget." It ties this to the repeal of Bill 124, says the Municipality received $339,441 in financial relief from the Province in 2025, bringing the 2025 police levy to $1,990,398, and says the 2026 police budget is increasing 10.92% ($220,829), to $2,242,394.
2026 Municipal Budget · Policing, PDF page 55
The OPP Contract line is $2,209,041 in the 2026 budget, $1,990,127 in the 2025 budget, and $1,893,540, $1,869,790 and $1,927,968 actual in 2024, 2023 and 2022.
2026 Municipal Budget · Protection to Persons and Property - Police, account 1-211-0221-5370, PDF page 56
Note 12(b) says the amount paid in 2024 for police service was $1,893,540 (2023: $1,869,790), and that annual charges "are determined based on the level of service and are reconciled to actual costs in the following year".
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Note 12, Commitments, PDF page 26
$3,731,720spent on social and family services in 2024, against a budget of $3,328,698
In the audited 2024 statements, general government spent $3,621,445 against a budget of $3,335,373. Protection to persons and property spent $4,831,018 against $4,342,968. Social and family services spent $3,731,720 against $3,328,698. That is about 8.6%, 11.2% and 12.1% over (worked out by us). Total expenses were $28,924,513 against $28,497,542, close to budget overall.
Budgets are promises about how much will be spent. Services that regularly exceed theirs make the next budget harder to trust.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
General government: budget $3,335,373, actual $3,621,445. Protection to persons and property: budget $4,342,968, actual $4,831,018. Social and family services: budget $3,328,698, actual $3,731,720. Total expenses: budget $28,497,542, actual $28,924,513. Government transfers: budget $3,540,066, actual $3,594,084.
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 8
Note 17 says the 2024 budget "included capital items such as infrastructure replacements and estimated costs for constructed assets, as program expenses, but the actual expenses have been removed", resulting in a significant variance. It does not break the variance down by service.
2024 Consolidated Financial Statements · Note 17, Budget information, PDF page 34
$150,000difference between two 2026 budget totals in the same book (worked out by us)
The 2026 budget book's summary table (Schedule A) gives total revenue and total expenditures of $55,845,738. The Revenues section of the same book says revenue sources for 2026 are budgeted at $55,995,738, which is $150,000 more.
It is probably a typing error or a late change, and the book says the Excel budget is the official one if the two disagree. A budget book is what residents read, so its totals should match.
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 Mississippi Mills? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule A shows Total Expenditures of $55,845,738 and Total Revenue of $55,845,738.
2026 Municipal Budget · Schedule A, PDF page 16
The Revenues section says revenue sources for 2026, "including taxation, bank financing and transfers from reserves", "are budgeted at $55,995,738".
2026 Municipal Budget · Revenues, PDF page 121