Questions · 11 so far
We read North Dumfries' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 90 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+47%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
North Dumfries spent $1.5M on roads and snow in 2019 and $2.2M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 5 of 90 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$607per home on council, 2024
North Dumfries spent about $607 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $51. None of the 90 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
December 20, 2024date of the auditor's report on the 2023 statements, about a year after that year ended (worked out by us)
Each year a township's books are checked by an outside accountant (the auditor), who signs a report. The 2023 report is dated December 20, 2024. The 2024 report is dated August 21, 2025, by a different firm. The statements page on the Township's website lists 2012 to 2024 and has no 2025 statements on the day we read it (October 5, 2026).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$19,685,637cash at December 31, 2024, with long-term liabilities shown as nil
At the end of 2024 the audited statements show cash of $19,685,637 and no long-term liabilities (the 2023 figure was $243,000). The 2026 draft budget includes a $16,190,160 arena project at the community complex, and says its funding includes a federal grant and "debt financing in the amount of $5 million". This is a draft: we did not find the adopted 2026 budget, so the amounts may have changed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$7,547,831capital assets acquired in 2024, against a budget of $10,625,402
Capital assets are things the Township builds or buys that last for years, like roads, buildings and vehicles. The 2024 budget planned to acquire $10,625,402 of them. The audited statements show $7,547,831 was acquired, which is $3,077,571 less (worked out by us). The year before it was $3,337,535. At the end of 2024, the Township reported contracts of about $775,000 still to be completed in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,064,292aggregate license fee income in 2024, against a budget of $750,000
Gravel and stone pits pay a fee to the Province based on how much they dig. A share goes to the township the pit is in. North Dumfries budgeted $750,000 for this "aggregate license fee" in 2024 and the audited statements show $1,064,292. The Township says the revenue is based on self-reporting by the aggregate companies, and that it is moved into reserves for long-term infrastructure.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
6.4%general tax rate increase for 2025, per the report to Council
The report to Council on the 2025 budget says the plan raises the general tax rate 6.4% over 2024, with a levy of $8,427,827. The 2026 draft budget proposes a further 5.5% on a levy of $9,002,499. The Township's own explanation for 2026 is that 2.5% is for the cost of existing services and 3% is for transfers to capital reserves. The 2026 figures are from a draft.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+11%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, North Dumfries collected $815K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 11% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 15 of 90 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 4% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 4.3%.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 4 sources
+48%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
North Dumfries spent $1.6M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $2.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$11,239,785carrying value of the investment in GrandBridge Energy Inc. at December 31, 2024
The Township owns 4.661% of GrandBridge Energy Inc., the electricity company formed in 2022 when its old utility, Energy Plus, merged with another. The statements carry this at $11,239,785. About $3 million of that is a loan to the company that can be called back at any time, earning 4.993%. The Township received dividends of $407,820 in 2024 against a budget of $387,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,637,309HST receivable at December 31, 2024, up from $609,802
Townships pay HST on purchases and claim most of it back. At December 31, 2024 the Township was owed $1,637,309 in HST, up from $609,802 a year earlier. The statements do not explain the rise.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
+47%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
North Dumfries spent $1.5M on roads and snow in 2019 and $2.2M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 5 of 90 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +10% | +1% |
| 2021 | +13% | +4% |
| 2022 | +44% | +11% |
| 2023 | +47% | +16% |
| 2024 | +47% | +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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $1.5M, 2020 $1.6M, 2021 $1.7M, 2022 $2.2M, 2023 $2.2M, 2024 $2.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Paved roads, from $620K to $1.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 22%. North Dumfries ranks 6th of 91.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 90 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$607per home on council, 2024
North Dumfries spent about $607 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $51. None of the 90 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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Council per home: North Dumfries $607; typical similar town $51; ranked 1st highest of 91.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 90 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
December 20, 2024date of the auditor's report on the 2023 statements, about a year after that year ended (worked out by us)
Each year a township's books are checked by an outside accountant (the auditor), who signs a report. The 2023 report is dated December 20, 2024. The 2024 report is dated August 21, 2025, by a different firm. The statements page on the Township's website lists 2012 to 2024 and has no 2025 statements on the day we read it (October 5, 2026).
Council and residents rely on the audited statements to know what the Township owns, owes and spent. The later they are signed, the longer decisions are made on unaudited numbers. This matters now because the election is on October 26, 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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Auditor's report: "The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 were audited by another auditor who expressed an unmodified opinion on those statements on December 20, 2024." The 2024 report is signed at Owen Sound, Ontario, August 21, 2025.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF pages 3 and 4
The 2023 auditor's report is signed at Owen Sound, Ontario, December 20, 2024 (BDO Canada LLP).
Financial Statements, December 31, 2023 · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF page 4
The Township's Financial Statements page lists audited statements for 2012 through 2024. It lists none for 2025. We read the page on October 5, 2026.
Township of North Dumfries, Financial Statements page · list of links on the page
$19,685,637cash at December 31, 2024, with long-term liabilities shown as nil
At the end of 2024 the audited statements show cash of $19,685,637 and no long-term liabilities (the 2023 figure was $243,000). The 2026 draft budget includes a $16,190,160 arena project at the community complex, and says its funding includes a federal grant and "debt financing in the amount of $5 million". This is a draft: we did not find the adopted 2026 budget, so the amounts may have changed.
Borrowing costs interest, and residents pay it through taxes. A town with a lot of cash may still borrow for good reasons, but the public should be shown why. A cash balance is also not all free money: much of it is promised to reserves and to specific projects.
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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of financial position, December 31, 2024: "Cash (Note 1)" $19,685,637 (2023: $21,870,088). "Long-term liabilities (Note 6)" shown as "-" for 2024 (2023: 243,000). "Obligatory reserve funds (Page 28)" 3,812,232.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 5 (printed page 4)
Note 10: "Reserves set aside for specific purpose by Council" $13,136,094 (2023: $12,700,149), made up of current purposes $4,220,590 and capital purposes $8,915,504.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Note 10, Reserves, PDF page 21
DRAFT 2026 budget, capital project description: "The construction phase of the project is estimated at a cost of $16,190,160". "The Township has secured a Grant to build a Net Zero Arena in the amount of $5 million from the Federal Government. Other funding sources to complete the project include debt financing in the amount of $5 million, $2,121,360 raised by the Centre for the Community Group of North Dumfries through fundraising initiatives and $520,000 drawn from Development Charges."
2026 Municipal DRAFT Budget · Capital project descriptions, Net Zero Arena Construction Project, PDF page 53 (draft)
DRAFT 2026 budget: "The delivery of this base Budget proposes new debt as it relates to the Net Zero Arena. It is anticipated that the debt would issued at the completion of the project." The 2026 list of capital projects "totals $31,192,121".
2026 Municipal DRAFT Budget · General Taxation and Unconditional Grants, PDF page 10; capital summary, PDF page 7 (draft)
$7,547,831capital assets acquired in 2024, against a budget of $10,625,402
Capital assets are things the Township builds or buys that last for years, like roads, buildings and vehicles. The 2024 budget planned to acquire $10,625,402 of them. The audited statements show $7,547,831 was acquired, which is $3,077,571 less (worked out by us). The year before it was $3,337,535. At the end of 2024, the Township reported contracts of about $775,000 still to be completed in 2025.
The yearly tax levy includes money set aside for capital work. If planned projects are delayed from year to year, money sits in reserves while roads and buildings wait, and costs may rise in the meantime.
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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of changes in net financial assets, 2024: "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" budget (10,625,402), actual (7,547,831); 2023 actual (3,337,535).
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Statement of Changes in Net Financial Assets, PDF page 7 (printed page 6)
Note 11, Budgets: "Transfers from reserves" budget 6,553,124, actual 4,142,970. Note 16, Commitments: "approximately $775,000 still to be completed in 2025".
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Note 11, PDF page 21; Note 16, PDF page 23
$1,064,292aggregate license fee income in 2024, against a budget of $750,000
Gravel and stone pits pay a fee to the Province based on how much they dig. A share goes to the township the pit is in. North Dumfries budgeted $750,000 for this "aggregate license fee" in 2024 and the audited statements show $1,064,292. The Township says the revenue is based on self-reporting by the aggregate companies, and that it is moved into reserves for long-term infrastructure.
This is one of the Township's larger sources of money outside property tax, and it depends on what the companies report. Residents may reasonably want to know whether anyone checks the numbers, and what the money is spent on.
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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 13, Other income: "Aggregate license fee" 2024 budget 750,000, 2024 actual 1,064,292, 2023 actual 748,489.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Note 13, Other Income, PDF page 23
Draft 2025 budget book, Engineering and Public Works: "The revenues received from this account are based on self reporting by the Aggregate companies. This revenue annually is allocated towards reserves and identified as a major contributing resource to fund the Township's long-term infrastructure needs." The book says the Township received $996,449 in 2024 and $750,376 in 2023 (written before year-end 2024, so it differs from the audited figure).
2025 Municipal Draft Budget book (December 2024) · Engineering and Public Works, PDF page 26
6.4%general tax rate increase for 2025, per the report to Council
The report to Council on the 2025 budget says the plan raises the general tax rate 6.4% over 2024, with a levy of $8,427,827. The 2026 draft budget proposes a further 5.5% on a levy of $9,002,499. The Township's own explanation for 2026 is that 2.5% is for the cost of existing services and 3% is for transfers to capital reserves. The 2026 figures are from a draft.
Two years of increases well above inflation add up. The Township's explanation is that part of the increase is savings for future roads and buildings, which is a choice residents may or may not support.
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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
FIN Report 05-2025: "The 2025 Budget identifies a net expenditure of $8,427,827 to be raised through the property tax levy and $130,600 to be raised through the Ayr Special Area rate levy. This translates into a 6.4% general tax rate increase over 2024."
FIN Report No. 05-2025, 2025 Budget · Section 3.1 A) Tax Levy and Tax Rates, PDF page 3
DRAFT 2026 budget: "The 2026 draft budget contains a 5.5% increase in the Municipal tax rate. This is comprised of a 2.5% year over year increase in costs to deliver existing programs and services and a 3% increase related to the increase in transfers to Capital Reserves." "The total tax levy in the 2026 draft budget is $9,002,499." Estimated increase for the average residential property: $75.43.
2026 Municipal DRAFT Budget · Financial Snapshot, PDF pages 3 and 5 (draft)
+11%town property tax, 2023 to 2024
In 2024, North Dumfries collected $815K more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 11% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 15 of 90 similar towns raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 4% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 4.3%.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5.8M |
| 2020 | $6.3M |
| 2021 | $6.4M |
| 2022 | $6.7M |
| 2023 | $7.4M |
| 2024 | $8.2M |
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 $216 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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $7,375,254 in 2023, $8,190,464 in 2024.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 90 similar Ontario towns: 7.3%. North Dumfries ranks 16th highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 90 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Residential tax rate (town share): 0.270% in 2023, 0.281% in 2024. Residential assessment: $1.7B to $1.8B.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 22, residential (RT) · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.4% over the same year.
+48%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
North Dumfries spent $1.6M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $2.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +4% | +1% |
| 2021 | +27% | +4% |
| 2022 | +21% | +11% |
| 2023 | +32% | +16% |
| 2024 | +48% | +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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $1.6M, 2020 $1.6M, 2021 $2.0M, 2022 $1.9M, 2023 $2.1M, 2024 $2.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Building permits, from $469K to $873K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$11,239,785carrying value of the investment in GrandBridge Energy Inc. at December 31, 2024
The Township owns 4.661% of GrandBridge Energy Inc., the electricity company formed in 2022 when its old utility, Energy Plus, merged with another. The statements carry this at $11,239,785. About $3 million of that is a loan to the company that can be called back at any time, earning 4.993%. The Township received dividends of $407,820 in 2024 against a budget of $387,000.
This is more than half the size of the Township's cash and a large part of its net worth. Residents have a stake in how it is used and whether it should be kept.
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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 3, Long-Term Investments: investment in common shares $3,221,948; "Note receivable due on demand, interest at 4.993%" 3,019,708; share of net income up until May 1, 2022 4,998,129; total $11,239,785. The Township "now owns 4.661% of the outstanding common shares of GrandBridge Energy Inc."
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Note 3, PDF page 15
Note 13, Other income: "Dividends from GrandBridge Energy Inc." 2024 budget 387,000, 2024 actual 407,820, 2023 actual 343,206; "Interest earned on note receivable" 150,774.
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Note 13, Other Income, PDF page 23
$1,637,309HST receivable at December 31, 2024, up from $609,802
Townships pay HST on purchases and claim most of it back. At December 31, 2024 the Township was owed $1,637,309 in HST, up from $609,802 a year earlier. The statements do not explain the rise.
A large refund owed is money the Township has paid out and not yet received. It is usually timing, but it is worth a plain answer.
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 North Dumfries? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 2, Trade and Other Receivables: "HST Receivable" 1,637,309 (2023: 609,802); total $2,055,801 (2023: $1,702,562).
Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (MNP LLP) · Note 2, PDF page 14