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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 New Tecumseth'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 · 9 so far
Things worth asking about
We read New Tecumseth's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 13 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.
$95 millionthe Town's share of the overage on the Collingwood plant, per the 2025 audited statements
New Tecumseth is paying for part of a larger water treatment plant in Collingwood, so that the Town has enough water for new homes. The audited 2025 statements say the plant's cost rose from a $121 million budget to a revised $270 million after tenders came in, and that the Town's share of the overage would be $95 million. The 2026 budget book says the plant has "an estimated cost of $120M". The statements say the project is 100% growth related and, if no other outside money is found, would be paid for from development charges (fees builders pay when they build new homes). The Town has published an explanation for part of this: provincial funding of up to $70 million was approved, about 63% of it for New Tecumseth's share, and the Town is still talking to the Province about up to $80 million more.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$6,998,844development charges added to the reserve in 2025, against $21,228,639 expected in the long range plan
Development charges are fees a builder pays the Town when new homes go up. They are meant to pay for roads, water and other things growth needs. The Town's audited statements show that $6,998,844 of development charges was added to the reserve in 2025, down from $15,135,187 the year before, and that the development charge balance fell from $14,549,397 to $7,899,396. The Town's June 2025 long range plan expected collections of $21,228,639 for 2025, then $65,363,094 for 2026 and $154,326,450 for 2029, when more water should be available. The Town has published its own explanation: collections "have trended downward" since 2018 and 2025 collections were "trending lower than the anticipated $21M forecast". The plan also shows the water development charge reserve below zero in every year to 2034, and about $37M of development charge credits still outstanding.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$82,489,267long-term and short-term debt together at the end of 2025, against $59,530,144 a year earlier
The audited statements show long-term debt of $66,412,167 at the end of 2025, up from $52,050,508, and a short-term construction loan of $16,077,100, up from $7,479,636. Schedule 1 puts the two together as "Debt associated with tangible capital assets" of $82,489,267 (2024: $59,530,144), a rise of $22,959,123 worked out by us, about 39%. The cash flow statement shows $20,044,877 of new debentures and $8,597,464 of new short-term loan money in 2025. The budget book says the repayment limit (the share of the Town's own revenue the Province lets it spend on debt payments) will climb to 23% over five years, against a limit of 25%. Separately, Schedule 1 lists "Unfunded short-term debt" of $34,445,538, which is more than twice the $16,077,100 short-term loan described in Note 7. The Town has published part of its explanation: the loan is for the Tottenham transmission main and will be turned into a long-term debenture, and the statements say repayments are within the Ministry's limit.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 6 sources
$14,081,128contributions from developers in 2025, against a budget of $73,104,579
The 2025 statement of operations compares the budget with what actually happened. Budgeted revenue was $165,969,262 and actual revenue was $144,294,333. The biggest gap is "Contributions from developers": $73,104,579 budgeted, $14,081,128 actual. Other lines went the other way: "Donations and contributed assets" were budgeted at $237,578 and came in at $21,239,453, and the "Gain (loss) on sale of tangible capital assets" was budgeted at $295,284 and came in at $9,567,378. The annual surplus was $57,834,395 against a budgeted $76,923,097. The Town has published a general explanation: the budget is prepared on a different basis from the statements, with all capital spending counted as an expense and no amortization, and the statements adjust it. It does not say what was sold or why the developer figure was so much higher.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$316 Millioninfrastructure gap in the 2026 budget book, $175 Million of it for tax-supported services
Every town has to repair and replace roads, buildings, pipes and vehicles as they age. The Town's 2026 budget book says there is an infrastructure gap of $316 Million, with $175 Million attributed to tax-supported services and a $141 Million shortfall for water and wastewater. The June 2025 long range plan showed a "Total Funding Gap" of $233.4M. The Town has a dedicated capital levy, started in 2020, and the 2026 budget adds 1% to the levy for it. Its audited reserve for replacing assets grew from $34,842,084 to $40,089,127. The Town has published its explanation of the strategy but the figures it gives do not line up: the budget book says the 1% levy is "$3.4M" in one place and "$483K" in another.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$1,429,200speed camera revenue in the 2025 budget; the long range plan expected $3.3M a year later
The Town started an automated speed enforcement (ASE) program, which means cameras that issue tickets, after Council approved it on August 26, 2024. The 2025 budget planned $1,429,200 in fines revenue against $1,104,320 of costs, including staff, camera leases and $426K for tickets that might not be paid. The June 2025 long range plan counted on $3.3M of speed enforcement revenue in 2026 and a $1.3M transfer to reserve. The 2026 budget says the program has been discontinued, and removes the revenue ($1.43M) and the costs. The 2026 budget still counts a $325K transfer "to offset ASE net revenues" and a transfer from an ASE reserve of $51.5K for traffic radar signs and traffic calming. The 2026 budget says the discontinuation was "announced late 2025" but does not say who decided or why.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
October 29, 2025the date the Mayor decided not to veto, and to shorten the veto period for, an amendment Council passed to the 2026 budget
Since May 1, 2025 New Tecumseth has been one of the municipalities where the Mayor has "strong mayor" powers under the Municipal Act. A staff report to Council on September 22, 2025 says the Mayor, not Council as a whole, leads the budget process: the Mayor proposes the budget, Council has 30 days to amend it, the Mayor may veto amendments, and Council may override a veto only with a two-thirds vote. On June 17, 2025 the Mayor, Richard Norcross, directed staff to prepare a 2026 budget that "generally conforms" with past practice. On October 29, 2025 he decided not to veto an amendment Council had passed to the proposed budget, and shortened the 10-day veto period to that date. The Town's website calls the result "The Mayor's Approved 2026 Budget". The Town has published the process, in full, and the Mayor's decisions in writing. What we did not find is a plain list of what Council amended.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$22,526,290environmental services user charges in 2025, against $18,492,881 in 2024
Water and wastewater are paid for by the people who use them, not by property tax. The audited statements show environmental services user charges of $22,526,290 in 2025 against $18,492,881 in 2024, a rise of about 22% worked out by us. The 2026 budget raises the water rate 10% and the wastewater rate 8.5%, which the budget says adds about $121.40 a year, or $10.12 a month, for a home using 200 cubic meters of water a year. The Town has published its explanation: a 2023 rate study by Hemson Consulting was meant to reach full cost recovery, rates were among the lowest in Simcoe County before the increases, and the reserves for replacing pipes and plants are still short of what is needed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$95 millionthe Town's share of the overage on the Collingwood plant, per the 2025 audited statements
New Tecumseth is paying for part of a larger water treatment plant in Collingwood, so that the Town has enough water for new homes. The audited 2025 statements say the plant's cost rose from a $121 million budget to a revised $270 million after tenders came in, and that the Town's share of the overage would be $95 million. The 2026 budget book says the plant has "an estimated cost of $120M". The statements say the project is 100% growth related and, if no other outside money is found, would be paid for from development charges (fees builders pay when they build new homes). The Town has published an explanation for part of this: provincial funding of up to $70 million was approved, about 63% of it for New Tecumseth's share, and the Town is still talking to the Province about up to $80 million more.
Why it matters
The Town has signed up for a very large cost that is meant to be repaid by fees from homes that have not yet been built. The 2026 budget, the one document most residents will read, gives a figure that is less than half the figure in the audited statements. Without a clear current number, a resident cannot tell how much of the risk sits with growth fees and how much could fall on water bills or property taxes.
It could be because…
The $120M in the budget book may be an older figure that was not updated, or may mean the part of the work in the 2026 capital plan rather than the whole project.
The $270 million in the statements is the total for both towns. The Town's own 63% share is a smaller number, and provincial grants are meant to cover part of it.
Costs of large projects often move between the first estimate and the final tender, and the Town said it could withdraw if costs rose too far. Council chose to go ahead.
Staff may treat the gap as something development charges will repay over many years, so it does not show as a spending increase in one budget.
Questions you could ask
What is the current total cost of the Collingwood plant expansion, and what is New Tecumseth's share of it today?
Why does the 2026 budget book say $120M when the audited statements say $270M, and which figure is the one Council is working from?
If the Province's extra $80 million does not arrive, how would the Town repay the remaining share, and how much of that could fall on water rates or property taxes?
Note 12(b) gives September 12, 2024 for the tender date and April 15, 2024 for the extended bid. Which dates are right?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 12(b), Water supply and related agreements: "The total budget for the project was $121 million with the New Tecumseth portion at 63% or $71.5 million." On tenders received by Collingwood the note says "revised project costs of $270 million or deficit of $150 million to the original project budget. The Town's portion of the overage would be $95 million." It says water supply is expected to start in Q3 2029 and substantial completion is revised to Q3 2031.
Same note: Provincial funding of up to $70 million was approved in July 2024, and "Approximately 63% of that funding would be applied against New Tecumseth's cost share". "The Towns are still in discussions with the Province to secure up to $80 million additional funding. The project has been established as 100% growth related and, should no other external funding be secured, would be funded from development charges." Interim water: "up to 3,150 m3/day" for "approximately $6,741,000".
New Debt Projects: "The Collingwood Water Treatment Plant capital works at an estimated cost of $120M has commenced and will span multiple years. The project has been awarded $70M from Provincial funding to date with the possibility of receiving additional grant funding."
Water DC Key Projects: "The Collingwood Water Plant Expansion which will be offset by grant funding with any net project funding being debentures with repayments being paid by the DC Reserve" (a debenture is a long-term loan; DC means development charges).
Project FIN-2026-001, DC Background Study: "current estimates for the Tottenham Transmission Line and Collingwood Explanation have exceeded DC estimated by more than $10M." (printed as "Explanation".)
$6,998,844development charges added to the reserve in 2025, against $21,228,639 expected in the long range plan
Development charges are fees a builder pays the Town when new homes go up. They are meant to pay for roads, water and other things growth needs. The Town's audited statements show that $6,998,844 of development charges was added to the reserve in 2025, down from $15,135,187 the year before, and that the development charge balance fell from $14,549,397 to $7,899,396. The Town's June 2025 long range plan expected collections of $21,228,639 for 2025, then $65,363,094 for 2026 and $154,326,450 for 2029, when more water should be available. The Town has published its own explanation: collections "have trended downward" since 2018 and 2025 collections were "trending lower than the anticipated $21M forecast". The plan also shows the water development charge reserve below zero in every year to 2034, and about $37M of development charge credits still outstanding.
Why it matters
Debt for the water plant, the Tottenham pipeline, Fire Station 4 and other projects is meant to be repaid from these fees. If homes are built later or more slowly than the plan assumes, the fees come in more slowly, and the gap has to be covered some other way: more borrowing, delays to projects, or tax and water-rate money. The Town's own budget says it would have to adjust its capital plan.
It could be because…
A long range plan is, in the Town's words, a "planning tool" with "no commitment". Large jumps are expected when water capacity arrives.
Interim water supply was due to start in mid-2026, which could allow building to resume ahead of the full plant.
Developers who built pipes or roads for the Town receive credits instead of paying fees, so some growth shows up as credits used rather than cash collected.
The Town says it would adjust its capital program if growth stays slow.
Questions you could ask
What did development charges actually bring in during 2025, and how does that compare with the $21,228,639 in the long range plan? (The statements show $6,998,844 added to the reserve.)
What home-building numbers sit behind the $65,363,094 for 2026 and the $154,326,450 for 2029, and have they been updated since June 2025?
If collections stay near the 2025 level, which projects would be delayed, and how would the debt for the water plant and pipeline be repaid?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Growth Assumptions table, "Total Residential" units by year: 2025 621; 2026 944; 2027 294; 2028 73; 2029 2,422. Total 7,343 against 4,554 in the column headed "Hemson", variance 2,789. The slide also says "2025-2031 forecasted residential units = 6160".
"Between 2018 and 2025 development charge collections have trended downward, resulting in balances below 25% of 2015 to 2017 collections received. The 2025 development charge collections are currently trending lower than the anticipated $21M forecast." "Should the Town's decline in growth be prolonged, adjustments to the capital program will be required to ensure financial sustainability."
DC Credits: "The Town currently has approximately $37M in outstanding DC credits, which represents a significant number of residential units to be built. As the DCs have essentially been prepaid in the form of Town infrastructure, we will not receive DC revenues for these units."
$82,489,267long-term and short-term debt together at the end of 2025, against $59,530,144 a year earlier
The audited statements show long-term debt of $66,412,167 at the end of 2025, up from $52,050,508, and a short-term construction loan of $16,077,100, up from $7,479,636. Schedule 1 puts the two together as "Debt associated with tangible capital assets" of $82,489,267 (2024: $59,530,144), a rise of $22,959,123 worked out by us, about 39%. The cash flow statement shows $20,044,877 of new debentures and $8,597,464 of new short-term loan money in 2025. The budget book says the repayment limit (the share of the Town's own revenue the Province lets it spend on debt payments) will climb to 23% over five years, against a limit of 25%. Separately, Schedule 1 lists "Unfunded short-term debt" of $34,445,538, which is more than twice the $16,077,100 short-term loan described in Note 7. The Town has published part of its explanation: the loan is for the Tottenham transmission main and will be turned into a long-term debenture, and the statements say repayments are within the Ministry's limit.
Why it matters
Debt is a promise to pay later, with interest, out of future water bills, taxes or development charges. Much of the new debt is meant to be paid from development charges, which came in well below plan in 2025. The Town's own forecast of 23% leaves less room under the 25% limit than today's figure, so a slow stretch for growth would matter.
It could be because…
Borrowing for water, wastewater and fire projects is normal for a growing town, and development charges are meant to repay it.
The 2025 debt includes a loan drawn for a pipeline already built, which will become long-term debt once the work is finished.
The Town stays well inside the Province's 25% repayment limit on its own numbers.
"Unfunded short-term debt" may be an accounting line for borrowing approved but not yet issued, or for debt the Town will repay from other reserves, rather than an extra loan.
Questions you could ask
What makes up the $34,445,538 shown as "Unfunded short-term debt" in Schedule 1, project by project, and how does it relate to the $16,077,100 loan in Note 7?
How much of the debt issued in 2026 and 2027 is to be repaid from development charges, and what happens to repayments if collections stay low?
What will the repayment limit be in 2027 and 2028 on current plans, and what would Council do if it neared 25%?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 7: construction financing of $21,123,137 for the Tottenham Transmission Main; "the balance was updated to $16,077,100 (2024- $7,479,636)". "Once construction is complete, the balance owing will transfer to a long-term debenture."
Note 8, Long-term liabilities: total $ 66,412,167 (2024 $ 52,050,508). Principal due 2026 6,321,684; 2031 - 2055 41,807,253. "The long-term liabilities issued in the Town's name have been approved by by-law as required and the annual principal and interest payments required are within the annual debt repayment limit as prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing."
Debenture Summary: prior commitments and proposed debt "will consistently increase the outstanding principal balance (depending on construction timing) over the next 5 years by approximately $64.9 M, which will be partially offset by scheduled reductions in current principal payments, approximately $24.6M." The large projects "will increase the Town's ARL % over the next 5 years to 23% and will require monitoring to ensure the Town remains within the permitted 25% Limit."
"The debt for on-going multi-year capital projects of $52M as detailed in the chart below will be issued in 2026 with repayments of principal and interest commencing in 2027." The draft 2026 capital budget "includes additional long-term debt funding of $12.8M".
$14,081,128contributions from developers in 2025, against a budget of $73,104,579
The 2025 statement of operations compares the budget with what actually happened. Budgeted revenue was $165,969,262 and actual revenue was $144,294,333. The biggest gap is "Contributions from developers": $73,104,579 budgeted, $14,081,128 actual. Other lines went the other way: "Donations and contributed assets" were budgeted at $237,578 and came in at $21,239,453, and the "Gain (loss) on sale of tangible capital assets" was budgeted at $295,284 and came in at $9,567,378. The annual surplus was $57,834,395 against a budgeted $76,923,097. The Town has published a general explanation: the budget is prepared on a different basis from the statements, with all capital spending counted as an expense and no amortization, and the statements adjust it. It does not say what was sold or why the developer figure was so much higher.
Why it matters
A budget is the promise made to residents about what the year will bring in and cost. A surplus on paper does not mean spare cash: the Town says contributed assets, such as pipes and roads built by developers, are recorded at fair value as revenue ($20,960,405 in 2025) without any money changing hands. Large gaps between budget and result on the revenue side make it harder to judge how realistic the budget is.
It could be because…
The budget may have counted money for the Collingwood plant and other large capital projects that the Town expected to receive in 2025 and has not yet received.
Most of the donations and contributed assets figure is non-cash assets handed over by developers, which a budget does not usually plan for.
The gain on sale may come from one land or property sale that was not in the budget when it was set.
The statements say the budget and the statements are on different accounting bases, so some gaps are due to presentation.
Questions you could ask
What did the budget count as "Contributions from developers" of $73,104,579, and which projects was that money for?
Which property or assets were sold in 2025 for proceeds of $10,029,678, and who bought them?
Does the Town publish a report that lines the budget up with the statements, so a resident can see where each gap came from?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Property sold in 2025, with wording you can copy.
The evidence
Statement of operations, 2025 (budget, actual, 2024 actual): "Contributions from developers" 73,104,579, 14,081,128, 11,069,094. "Donations and contributed assets" 237,578, 21,239,453, 168,562. "Gain (loss) on sale of tangible capital assets" 295,284, 9,567,378, 181,832. Revenue total 165,969,262, 144,294,333, 89,750,840. "Annual surplus" 76,923,097, 57,834,395, 9,024,482.
Statement of cash flows, 2025: "Contributed tangible capital assets" (20,960,405); "Gain on sale of tangible capital assets" (9,567,375); "Proceeds from sale of tangible capital assets" 10,029,678.
Note 2(q), Budget figures: "Town's consolidated budget was not prepared on a basis consistent with that used to report actual results". Town Council's approved budgets: revenues 165,969,262, expenditures 109,533,731, less "Tangible capital assets capitalization" (36,600,248), plus "Amortization expense" 16,112,682, equals adjusted expenditures 89,046,165.
$316 Millioninfrastructure gap in the 2026 budget book, $175 Million of it for tax-supported services
Every town has to repair and replace roads, buildings, pipes and vehicles as they age. The Town's 2026 budget book says there is an infrastructure gap of $316 Million, with $175 Million attributed to tax-supported services and a $141 Million shortfall for water and wastewater. The June 2025 long range plan showed a "Total Funding Gap" of $233.4M. The Town has a dedicated capital levy, started in 2020, and the 2026 budget adds 1% to the levy for it. Its audited reserve for replacing assets grew from $34,842,084 to $40,089,127. The Town has published its explanation of the strategy but the figures it gives do not line up: the budget book says the 1% levy is "$3.4M" in one place and "$483K" in another.
Why it matters
The gap is the amount the Town would need, beyond what it has set aside, to keep what it owns in good shape. A gap that does not shrink means repair bills pass to future taxpayers and water users, or services and buildings run down. The Town's own water budget says the water and wastewater reserves "will not be sufficient to fund the future capital projects".
It could be because…
The different totals ($316 Million, $233.4M, $175M) may measure different things or different dates, such as with or without water and wastewater, or with or without projects outside the ten-year plan.
A one per cent levy each year is a steady, planned way to close a gap built up over many decades.
Part of the gap is in assets such as buildings that Council may choose not to replace.
$3.4M may be the total capital levy and $483K the new one per cent added in 2026.
Questions you could ask
What is the Town's current infrastructure gap, and why do the budget book ($316 Million) and the long range plan ($233.4M) give different totals?
Is the capital levy $3.4M or $483K in the 2026 budget, and how much of the gap does it close each year?
At the current pace, in what year would the Town have set aside enough to replace what it owns as it wears out?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Capital Levy: "Currently, the Town faces an infrastructure gap of $316 Million, with $175 Million attributed to tax-supported services. ... the increase for 2026 is 1%, which equates to $483K." The 2026 general levy is $46.7M, a 2.84% increase.
"The 2026 budget continues to put aside a special amount to replace capital in the amount of $3.4M, which translates into a 1% levy." Total levy increase "approximately 3.84%"; blended with the County and school boards, "3.09% which translates into an annual increase of $148 for an average homeowner".
"Total Funding Gap - $233.4M", with Facilities & Indoor Recreation - $69.9M, Water - $41.1M, Wastewater - $33.9M and Roads - $11.6M. "Reserve balances are reflecting a positive position in 2034, but there is an infrastructure Gap of $233.4M."
$1,429,200speed camera revenue in the 2025 budget; the long range plan expected $3.3M a year later
The Town started an automated speed enforcement (ASE) program, which means cameras that issue tickets, after Council approved it on August 26, 2024. The 2025 budget planned $1,429,200 in fines revenue against $1,104,320 of costs, including staff, camera leases and $426K for tickets that might not be paid. The June 2025 long range plan counted on $3.3M of speed enforcement revenue in 2026 and a $1.3M transfer to reserve. The 2026 budget says the program has been discontinued, and removes the revenue ($1.43M) and the costs. The 2026 budget still counts a $325K transfer "to offset ASE net revenues" and a transfer from an ASE reserve of $51.5K for traffic radar signs and traffic calming. The 2026 budget says the discontinuation was "announced late 2025" but does not say who decided or why.
Why it matters
The Town built part of its 2026 plan on money from speed cameras. When a program that was expected to earn money ends, residents should know what it cost, what it brought in, what is left in the reserve and whether other lines in the budget now have to cover the gap.
It could be because…
The decision to stop may have been made outside the Town, such as by a change in provincial rules. The 2026 budget does not say, and we did not look.
Fines are only revenue once they are paid. Some of the $1,429,200 may never have been collected.
Any money left over in the ASE reserve may be allowed to go only to road-safety spending, which would explain why it is being used for radar signs and traffic calming.
The $325K offset may be a one-time bridge for wind-down costs.
Questions you could ask
How much did the speed camera program collect and spend in 2025, and how many tickets went unpaid?
Who decided to discontinue it, when, and why? Where is the report to Council?
What is the balance in the ASE reserve, what is it allowed to be spent on, and what is the $325K in the 2026 budget for?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Change request ADM-2025-001, Automated Speed Enforcement: 2025 Budget, Total Revenues 1,429,200 ("USER FEES & SERV CHGS"); Total Expenses 1,104,320. 2026 Forecast: Total Revenues 1,575,000; Total Expenses 1,246,984. Justification: "Community safety initiative requested by a council motion." Report ADMIN-2024-21 "was approved by Council on August 26th, 2024".
Administration budget highlights: "Charges and fines increased $1.43M for the SER included for Automated Speed Enforcement revenues of $1.42 other minor increases." "anticipated write offs for uncollectable ASE tickets $426K".
Administration Services, 2026 Budget Highlights: "User fees and service charges have decreased by $1.43M. Charges and fines decreased $1.43M for the Automated Speed Enforcement discontinuation announced late 2025." "Contracted Services decreased by $306K for the removal of ASE costs including camera leasing fees, ticket processing and signage installation contracted services."
Reserve Funding: "the 2026 budget includes funding of $325K to offset ASE net revenues". Engineering and Development: "General Reserves increased $51.5K for a transfer from the Automated Speed Enforcement Reserve for traffic radar signs and a traffic calming initiative."
The Mayor's Approved 2026 Budget · 2026 Budget at a Glance (PDF page 13) and Engineering and Development, 2026 Budget Highlights (PDF page 114)
New Tecumseth spent about $3,943 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $1,119. Only 1 of 13 similar towns spent more.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
A one-time cost in this year.
Questions you could ask
What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Long-term debt per home: New Tecumseth $3,943; typical similar town $1,119; ranked 2nd highest of 14.
October 29, 2025the date the Mayor decided not to veto, and to shorten the veto period for, an amendment Council passed to the 2026 budget
Since May 1, 2025 New Tecumseth has been one of the municipalities where the Mayor has "strong mayor" powers under the Municipal Act. A staff report to Council on September 22, 2025 says the Mayor, not Council as a whole, leads the budget process: the Mayor proposes the budget, Council has 30 days to amend it, the Mayor may veto amendments, and Council may override a veto only with a two-thirds vote. On June 17, 2025 the Mayor, Richard Norcross, directed staff to prepare a 2026 budget that "generally conforms" with past practice. On October 29, 2025 he decided not to veto an amendment Council had passed to the proposed budget, and shortened the 10-day veto period to that date. The Town's website calls the result "The Mayor's Approved 2026 Budget". The Town has published the process, in full, and the Mayor's decisions in writing. What we did not find is a plain list of what Council amended.
Why it matters
The new rules change who is responsible for the budget and how fast it can be done. They are legal, and the Town has been open about them. A resident should still be able to see what Council changed, how many days anyone had to look at it, and what the final budget cost them.
It could be because…
Shortening the period is a power the law gives the Mayor, and it may simply have saved time when there was nothing to veto.
The amendment may be small, and the final budget may match the version Council saw at its working sessions on October 8 and October 22.
The Town's report says the timeline was set so the budget would be deemed approved between October 22 and November 28.
Questions you could ask
What amendment did Council pass to the proposed 2026 budget, who moved it, and how did it change the final tax levy?
How many days did the public have between the amendment and the budget being deemed approved?
Will the Town publish, each year, a one-page list of every change between the Mayor's proposed budget and the budget as approved?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Under the legislation the mayor is considered to lead the budget process, rather than council as a collective". "Council can amend the mayor's proposed budget, but only within 30 days of its release. The mayor can veto any amendments made by council. Council may override the veto, but only with a two-thirds majority vote." "In April, 2025 the Province of Ontario announced its intent to expand strong mayor powers to 169 municipalities, including the Town of New Tecumseth, effective May 1st."
"Based on the current timelines, the budget will be deemed approved between October 22nd and November 28th. The date is dependent on whether there are budget amendments, vetoes, veto overrides and shortened timelines by the mayor and/or council." Working sessions were set for October 8 and October 22.
Mayoral Direction MDI-2025-01, dated the 17th day of June 2025: Richard Norcross, Mayor, directs the CAO and the Treasurer to "Prepare a draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budget that generally conforms with the budget and business planning processes and best practices utilized by the Town in previous years".
Mayoral Decision MDE-2025-16, dated the 29th day of October 2025: "I, (the Mayor) will not exercise the power to veto under subsection 284.16(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001." It gives "written notice ... to shorten the 10-day period to veto an amendment resolution passed by Town Council to the proposed budget, to the date of this Mayoral Decision."
$22,526,290environmental services user charges in 2025, against $18,492,881 in 2024
Water and wastewater are paid for by the people who use them, not by property tax. The audited statements show environmental services user charges of $22,526,290 in 2025 against $18,492,881 in 2024, a rise of about 22% worked out by us. The 2026 budget raises the water rate 10% and the wastewater rate 8.5%, which the budget says adds about $121.40 a year, or $10.12 a month, for a home using 200 cubic meters of water a year. The Town has published its explanation: a 2023 rate study by Hemson Consulting was meant to reach full cost recovery, rates were among the lowest in Simcoe County before the increases, and the reserves for replacing pipes and plants are still short of what is needed.
Why it matters
Water bills are the part of the Town's income that is rising fastest, and the 2026 water budget carries debt costs for the Tottenham pipeline work as well as repairs. Residents can reasonably ask how many more years of increases like this are planned.
It could be because…
The Town's study found its rates were among the lowest in the county, so increases may be catching up rather than overshooting.
The increase is also partly more water used or more customers, not only higher rates.
Water and wastewater budgets by law have to balance, so reserve contributions and debt payments push rates up.
The Town buys water from Collingwood, and the budget says its cost of purchased water rose.
Questions you could ask
How much of the rise in water and wastewater charges in 2025 came from rate increases, and how much from more customers or more water used?
What rate increases are planned for 2027 and 2028, and what total bill does the Town expect for a typical home by 2030?
How much of the water and wastewater debt, for the Tottenham pipeline and other projects, is to be paid from rates rather than from development charges?
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 New Tecumseth?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 16, Segmented reporting, 2025: Environmental services "User charges" 22,526,290 (total user charges 29,596,598). For 2024 the same line is 18,492,881 (total 24,143,932).
2026 Water and Wastewater Budget: "a 10% water rate increase, and an 8.5% wastewater rate increase, were recommended to support annual expenditures and to contribute towards requirements for longer term asset replacement needs." "The impact on the average home using 200 cubic meters of water per year is approximately $121.40 or $10.12 per month." "Hemson's study demonstrated that the Town had one of the lowest rates in Simcoe County and other comparable municipalities prior to the increase."
Reserves: Water Asset Replacement Reserves are forecast to increase by 14% and wastewater reserves to decrease by 38%, and for both "with the aging infrastructure the Reserve will not be sufficient to fund the future capital projects."
Can we count your visit? With your OK, we use Google Analytics to see which pages help people. It sets cookies and sends visit data to Google. Nothing loads unless you say yes. Privacy