Questions · 15 so far
We read North Dundas' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 43 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+20%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, North Dundas collected $1.8M more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 20% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. None of the 43 similar towns raised theirs by more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$3,809per home on long-term debt, 2025
North Dundas spent about $3,809 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $1,212. Only 2 of 43 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.
$359,381.64spent on salting in 2025, against a budget of $250,000
A budget is the amount council plans to spend on a line for the year. The Township has budgeted $250,000 for salting roads in 2024, 2025 and again in 2026. The spending on that line was $251,954.85 in 2023, $264,344.69 in 2024 and $359,381.64 in 2025. The 2025 figure is $109,381.64 above the budget (worked out by us). We did not find a note in the budget that explains why the line was left at $250,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$159,619.30written off in 2024, against a budget of $80,000
A tax write-off is tax the Township billed but will not collect, for example after a property's value is lowered. The Township budgets $80,000 a year for write-offs, and has done so for 2024, 2025 and 2026. The amounts actually written off were $142,333.74 in 2023, $159,619.30 in 2024 and $88,647.20 in 2025. The 2024 figure is about twice the budget. We did not find the Township's explanation in the documents we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$19,647.52Blue Box recycling revenue in 2025, down from $244,938.20 in 2024
On the waste management page of the 2026 budget, the line "Blue Box-Waste Diversion" is revenue the Township received for recycling. It was $238,767.72 in 2023 and $244,938.20 in 2024. In 2025 the Township budgeted $58,382.00 and received $19,647.52. The 2026 budget shows 0.00. The same page shows the contracted services line for waste falling from $115,423.40 in 2024 to $42,858.55 in 2025, so the costs may have moved too. We did not find the Township's own explanation in the budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$148,596.14spent on waste equipment repairs in 2025, against a budget of $25,000
Two repair lines ran well above their budgets. Repairs and maintenance at the Chesterville arena cost $73,848.65 in 2024 (budget $35,000) and $72,990.10 in 2025 (budget $37,000); the 2026 budget is $39,000. Equipment repairs in waste management cost $148,596.14 in 2025 against a budget of $25,000; the 2026 budget is $61,000. We did not find the Township's explanation in the budget. The 2026 budget raises the waste line but leaves the arena line close to its old level.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$18,167,538construction loan owing at December 31, 2025, up from $14,825,269
A lagoon is part of a town's sewage treatment. The 2024 audited statements say the Township signed an agreement to build one in Winchester, that construction began in August 2023, that it was scheduled to finish in April 2025, and that the amount agreed was $13,639,031. The 2025 statements say the agreement was extended into 2026, with $53,259 remaining. The 2026 budget shows lagoon spending of $5,975,006.23 in 2023, $6,047,348.55 in 2024 and $489,566.63 in 2025, with $1,523,000 planned for 2026. The three years add to $12,511,921.41 (worked out by us). The statements also show a construction loan that grew from $14,825,269 to $18,167,538 in 2025, paid interest only until the project is complete. The statements do not say which project the loan is for, so we do not say it is the lagoon. Net debt (what the Township owes less what it holds in financial assets) was $14,787,981 at the end of 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$1,494,150sewer capital levy budgeted for 2026, against $99,551.01 collected in 2025
The Winchester Sewer page of the 2026 budget plans loan interest of $760,617.00 and loan principal of $487,640.00 for 2026. In 2025 the budget had $662,943.00 and $300,955.00 for these, but the actual amounts recorded on this page were 0.00 for both. The same page budgets a "FCM Grant" of $1,300,000.00 for both 2025 and 2026 (FCM is the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which runs grants for municipalities), but nothing was received in 2025. It also budgets $1,494,150.00 from a Winchester sewer capital levy (a charge raised from sewer users for building work) in 2026, against $99,551.01 collected in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$6,514,825spent on transportation in 2025, against a budget of $5,134,336
The audited 2025 statements compare each service's spending to the budget. Transportation (roads) was budgeted at $5,134,336 and came in at $6,514,825. Environmental services (water, sewer, garbage and recycling) was budgeted at $3,878,075 and came in at $4,628,675. Total spending was $19,996,601 against $17,987,278 (the three gaps, worked out by us, are $1,380,489, $750,600 and $2,009,323). Revenue also came in above the budget, and the Township still finished with an annual surplus of $5,417,947, below the budgeted $6,500,558 (a gap of $1,082,611, worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+84%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
North Dundas spent $1.7M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $3.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 7 of 43 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+63%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
North Dundas spent $1.1M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $1.8M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
+51%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
North Dundas spent $2.6M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $3.9M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$3.4Mowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $3.4M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 12% of everything billed. Only 4 of 43 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $2.6M.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
No amountset aside in the 2025 statements for this possible liability
Both the 2024 and 2025 audited statements carry the same note. The Township was self-insured for workplace-safety claims from 1997 to 2010. A 2014 provincial rule change, effective back to 1960, widened which illnesses are presumed to be work-related for firefighters. The Township says it is assessing the effect, cannot say whether it owes anything, and has made no provision (no money set aside). The wording did not change between the two years.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
−$14.8Mnet financial position, 2025
In 2019, North Dundas had $10.3M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$14.8M. About 18% of that change ($4.6M) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 3 of 43 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
+20%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, North Dundas collected $1.8M more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 20% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. None of the 43 similar towns raised theirs by more.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $6.3M |
| 2020 | $6.9M |
| 2021 | $6.8M |
| 2022 | $7.5M |
| 2023 | $8.2M |
| 2024 | $9.1M |
| 2025 | $10.9M |
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 $353 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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $9,112,967 in 2024, $10,942,938 in 2025.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 43 similar Ontario towns: 7.2%. North Dundas ranks 1st highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 43 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.1% over the same year.
$3,809per home on long-term debt, 2025
North Dundas spent about $3,809 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $1,212. Only 2 of 43 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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Long-term debt per home: North Dundas $3,809; typical similar town $1,212; ranked 3rd highest of 44.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 43 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$359,381.64spent on salting in 2025, against a budget of $250,000
A budget is the amount council plans to spend on a line for the year. The Township has budgeted $250,000 for salting roads in 2024, 2025 and again in 2026. The spending on that line was $251,954.85 in 2023, $264,344.69 in 2024 and $359,381.64 in 2025. The 2025 figure is $109,381.64 above the budget (worked out by us). We did not find a note in the budget that explains why the line was left at $250,000.
When a line is budgeted below what it usually costs, the gap is paid from somewhere else in the budget or from savings, and the tax rate does not show the real cost of winter. Asking how the budget is set helps residents judge whether the plan is realistic.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Transportation Services worksheet, "Salting": 2026 final budget 250,000.00; 2025 actual 359,381.64; 2025 final budget 250,000.00; 2024 actual 264,344.69; 2024 final budget 250,000.00; 2023 actual 251,954.85.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 30 (Transportation Services, worksheet page 3), account 1-5-3052-2010
$159,619.30written off in 2024, against a budget of $80,000
A tax write-off is tax the Township billed but will not collect, for example after a property's value is lowered. The Township budgets $80,000 a year for write-offs, and has done so for 2024, 2025 and 2026. The amounts actually written off were $142,333.74 in 2023, $159,619.30 in 2024 and $88,647.20 in 2025. The 2024 figure is about twice the budget. We did not find the Township's explanation in the documents we read.
Written-off tax is money the rest of the taxpayers cover. If write-offs keep running above the budget, the budget is understating a real cost, and the reasons (such as assessment appeals) are worth knowing.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
General Government worksheet, "Treas - Tax Write Offs": 2026 final budget 80,000.00; 2025 actual 88,647.20; 2025 final budget 80,000.00; 2024 actual 159,619.30; 2024 final budget 80,000.00; 2023 actual 142,333.74.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 8 (General Government, worksheet page 4), account 1-5-1300-7120
$19,647.52Blue Box recycling revenue in 2025, down from $244,938.20 in 2024
On the waste management page of the 2026 budget, the line "Blue Box-Waste Diversion" is revenue the Township received for recycling. It was $238,767.72 in 2023 and $244,938.20 in 2024. In 2025 the Township budgeted $58,382.00 and received $19,647.52. The 2026 budget shows 0.00. The same page shows the contracted services line for waste falling from $115,423.40 in 2024 to $42,858.55 in 2025, so the costs may have moved too. We did not find the Township's own explanation in the budget.
Recycling income of about a quarter of a million dollars a year is a large line for a township of this size. If it has gone, residents should know whether the matching costs went with it, or whether the garbage and recycling budget now rests on other money (tipping fees, taxes or reserves).
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Waste Management worksheet, "Blue Box-Waste Diversion": 2026 final budget 0.00; 2025 actual -19,647.52; 2025 final budget -58,382.00; 2024 actual -244,938.20; 2024 final budget -233,500.00; 2023 actual -238,767.72 (revenue is shown as a negative number).
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 54 (Waste Management, worksheet page 1), account 1-4-4030-7410
Same page, "Contracted Services" (expense): 2026 final budget 75,000.00; 2025 actual 42,858.55; 2025 final budget 76,600.00; 2024 actual 115,423.40; 2024 final budget 72,000.00; 2023 actual 68,032.54. "Garbage Tipping Fees" (revenue): 2025 actual -266,502.87 against a 2025 final budget of -185,000.00.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 54 (Waste Management, worksheet page 1), accounts 1-5-4020-4010 and 1-4-4020-7400
$148,596.14spent on waste equipment repairs in 2025, against a budget of $25,000
Two repair lines ran well above their budgets. Repairs and maintenance at the Chesterville arena cost $73,848.65 in 2024 (budget $35,000) and $72,990.10 in 2025 (budget $37,000); the 2026 budget is $39,000. Equipment repairs in waste management cost $148,596.14 in 2025 against a budget of $25,000; the 2026 budget is $61,000. We did not find the Township's explanation in the budget. The 2026 budget raises the waste line but leaves the arena line close to its old level.
Repeated overruns on the same lines suggest the budget may not match what the buildings and machines really cost to keep running. Old equipment can also be a sign that replacement is coming, which is a larger bill.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Recreational Services worksheet, "R&Mtce - Chest Arena": 2026 final budget 39,000.00; 2025 actual 72,990.10; 2025 final budget 37,000.00; 2024 actual 73,848.65; 2024 final budget 35,000.00; 2023 actual 37,762.67.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 42 (Recreational Services, worksheet page 6), account 1-5-7150-2400
Waste Management worksheet, "Equipment Repairs": 2026 final budget 61,000.00; 2025 actual 148,596.14; 2025 final budget 25,000.00; 2024 actual 38,581.20; 2024 final budget 23,000.00; 2023 actual 24,331.26.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 54 (Waste Management, worksheet page 1), account 1-5-4020-7130
$18,167,538construction loan owing at December 31, 2025, up from $14,825,269
A lagoon is part of a town's sewage treatment. The 2024 audited statements say the Township signed an agreement to build one in Winchester, that construction began in August 2023, that it was scheduled to finish in April 2025, and that the amount agreed was $13,639,031. The 2025 statements say the agreement was extended into 2026, with $53,259 remaining. The 2026 budget shows lagoon spending of $5,975,006.23 in 2023, $6,047,348.55 in 2024 and $489,566.63 in 2025, with $1,523,000 planned for 2026. The three years add to $12,511,921.41 (worked out by us). The statements also show a construction loan that grew from $14,825,269 to $18,167,538 in 2025, paid interest only until the project is complete. The statements do not say which project the loan is for, so we do not say it is the lagoon. Net debt (what the Township owes less what it holds in financial assets) was $14,787,981 at the end of 2025.
This is the largest project and the largest debt in the documents we read. How and when it is finished, and who pays the loan back (sewer customers, all taxpayers, or other governments), affects bills for 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 North Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 12, Commitments: "The Township has signed an agreement to build a lagoon in Winchester. Construction began in August 2023, with the project scheduled for completion in April 2025. The amount agreed upon for those services is $13,639,031."
2024 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · Note 12, PDF page 20
Note 12, Commitments: "The Township's agreement for the Winchester Lagoon was extended into 2026, with a remaining amount of $53,259."
2025 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · Note 12, PDF page 21
Note 4, Net Long-Term Liabilities: "Construction loan bearing interest at variable rates, payable monthly. Interest-only payments during construction period, with principal repayment commencing upon completion of project." 2025 18,167,538; 2024 14,825,269. Total net long-term liabilities 19,736,425 (2024 16,694,134).
2025 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · Note 4, PDF page 15
Statement of Changes in Net Debt: "Net debt, end of the year" 2025 actual (14,787,981); 2024 restated (14,522,188).
2025 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 7
Winchester Sewer worksheet, "Capital-Lagoon Expansion": 2026 final budget 1,523,000.00; 2025 actual 489,566.63; 2025 final budget 1,811,214.00; 2024 actual 6,047,348.55; 2024 final budget 4,500,000.00; 2023 actual 5,975,006.23.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 67 (Winchester Sewer, worksheet page 1), expenditures
$1,494,150sewer capital levy budgeted for 2026, against $99,551.01 collected in 2025
The Winchester Sewer page of the 2026 budget plans loan interest of $760,617.00 and loan principal of $487,640.00 for 2026. In 2025 the budget had $662,943.00 and $300,955.00 for these, but the actual amounts recorded on this page were 0.00 for both. The same page budgets a "FCM Grant" of $1,300,000.00 for both 2025 and 2026 (FCM is the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which runs grants for municipalities), but nothing was received in 2025. It also budgets $1,494,150.00 from a Winchester sewer capital levy (a charge raised from sewer users for building work) in 2026, against $99,551.01 collected in 2025.
A large step up in payments, paid for by a levy and a grant that did not arrive in 2025, could mean higher sewer charges for Winchester customers or a gap that others cover. Residents should be able to see the plan.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Winchester Sewer worksheet, "Loans - Interest LTD": 2026 final budget 760,617.00; 2025 actual 0.00; 2025 final budget 662,943.00; 2024 actual 359,162.49. "Loans - Principal LTD": 2026 final budget 487,640.00; 2025 actual 0.00; 2025 final budget 300,955.00.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 67 (Winchester Sewer, worksheet page 1), expenditures
Same page, "FCM Grant": 2026 final budget -1,300,000.00; 2025 actual 0.00; 2025 final budget -1,300,000.00. "Winchester Sewer Capital Levy": 2026 final budget -1,494,150.00; 2025 actual -99,551.01; 2025 final budget -201,794.00 (revenue is shown as a negative number).
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 67 (Winchester Sewer, worksheet page 1), revenues
Same page, "Fees - Sewer Residential Users" (Winchester): 2026 final budget -580,208.75; 2025 actual -456,619.73. "Fees - Sewer Commercial Users": 2026 final budget -335,384.00; 2025 actual -356,158.07.
2026 Approved Budget, Township of North Dundas · PDF page 67 (Winchester Sewer, worksheet page 1), revenues
$6,514,825spent on transportation in 2025, against a budget of $5,134,336
The audited 2025 statements compare each service's spending to the budget. Transportation (roads) was budgeted at $5,134,336 and came in at $6,514,825. Environmental services (water, sewer, garbage and recycling) was budgeted at $3,878,075 and came in at $4,628,675. Total spending was $19,996,601 against $17,987,278 (the three gaps, worked out by us, are $1,380,489, $750,600 and $2,009,323). Revenue also came in above the budget, and the Township still finished with an annual surplus of $5,417,947, below the budgeted $6,500,558 (a gap of $1,082,611, worked out by us).
A surplus is revenue minus spending for the year. When one service spends millions more than planned while the overall result is close to plan, council and residents should know which other lines made up the difference and whether the budget for roads and water is realistic.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations, 2025 budget / 2025 actual / 2024 actual: "Transportation services" 5,134,336 / 6,514,825 / 5,196,161; "Environmental services" 3,878,075 / 4,628,675 / 4,344,751. Total expenses 17,987,278 / 19,996,601 / 18,294,923. "Annual surplus" 6,500,558 / 5,417,947 / 3,676,578.
2025 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · Statement of Operations, PDF page 6
Note 11, Budget: "The Financial Plan (Budget) By-Law adopted by Council was not prepared on a basis consistent with that used to report actual results (Canadian public sector accounting standards)." The note then adjusts the budget by, among other items, amortization of tangible capital assets (4,246,481).
2025 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · Note 11, PDF page 21
Note 15, Segmented Information, 2025, Transportation: amortization of tangible capital assets 2,634,884; loss on disposal of tangible capital assets 232,790; materials 1,597,012; salaries, wages and benefits 1,652,169; total expenses 6,514,825. Environmental: total expenses 4,628,675.
2025 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · Note 15, PDF page 24
+84%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
North Dundas spent $1.7M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $3.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 7 of 43 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −9% | +1% |
| 2021 | −3% | +4% |
| 2022 | +28% | +11% |
| 2023 | +51% | +16% |
| 2024 | +64% | +18% |
| 2025 | +84% | +21% |
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $1.7M, 2020 $1.6M, 2021 $1.7M, 2022 $2.2M, 2023 $2.6M, 2024 $2.8M, 2025 $3.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $1.1M to $2.8M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 67%. North Dundas ranks 8th of 44.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 43 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+63%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
North Dundas spent $1.1M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $1.8M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +2% | +1% |
| 2021 | +12% | +4% |
| 2022 | +27% | +11% |
| 2023 | +54% | +16% |
| 2024 | +60% | +18% |
| 2025 | +63% | +21% |
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $1.1M, 2020 $1.1M, 2021 $1.2M, 2022 $1.4M, 2023 $1.7M, 2024 $1.8M, 2025 $1.8M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Fire department, from $568K to $1.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+51%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
North Dundas spent $2.6M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $3.9M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +2% | +1% |
| 2021 | +11% | +4% |
| 2022 | −4% | +11% |
| 2023 | +8% | +16% |
| 2024 | +40% | +18% |
| 2025 | +51% | +21% |
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $2.6M, 2020 $2.6M, 2021 $2.9M, 2022 $2.5M, 2023 $2.8M, 2024 $3.6M, 2025 $3.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Sewage treatment, from $344K to $947K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$3.4Mowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $3.4M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 12% of everything billed. Only 4 of 43 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $2.6M.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $2.1M |
| 2020 | $2.2M |
| 2021 | $1.9M |
| 2022 | $2.0M |
| 2023 | $2.4M |
| 2024 | $2.6M |
| 2025 | $3.4M |
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.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $2.1M, 2020 $2.2M, 2021 $1.9M, 2022 $2.0M, 2023 $2.4M, 2024 $2.6M, 2025 $3.4M. Of the 2025 total, $1.6M was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 7.1% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 43 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
No amountset aside in the 2025 statements for this possible liability
Both the 2024 and 2025 audited statements carry the same note. The Township was self-insured for workplace-safety claims from 1997 to 2010. A 2014 provincial rule change, effective back to 1960, widened which illnesses are presumed to be work-related for firefighters. The Township says it is assessing the effect, cannot say whether it owes anything, and has made no provision (no money set aside). The wording did not change between the two years.
A possible bill that has no number yet is a risk to the Township's finances. This note is context, not a sign of a problem: auditors require it to be disclosed. It is worth asking how the Township is assessing it.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 13, Contingency: "This change in regulations may give rise to liabilities of the Township for work-related cancers incurred by firefighters during that period. The Township is assessing the impact of this change and is unable to determine whether a liability exists at year end. Consequently, no provision has been made in these financial statements for any liability that may result." Self-insured for WSIB from 1997 to 2010.
2025 audited financial statements, Township of North Dundas · Note 13, PDF page 22
−$14.8Mnet financial position, 2025
In 2019, North Dundas had $10.3M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$14.8M. About 18% of that change ($4.6M) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 3 of 43 similar towns are in a weaker position.
| Year | Net financial position |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $10.3M |
| 2020 | $10.6M |
| 2021 | $9.5M |
| 2022 | $8.0M |
| 2023 | −$3.9M |
| 2024 | −$12.1M |
| 2025 | −$14.8M |
This number is one of the clearest signs of whether a town is living within its means. The accounting-rule part is a bill that will come due when the landfill closes, not money already spent. The rest is real borrowing and spending of savings.
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 Dundas? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Net financial assets: 2019 $10.3M, 2020 $10.6M, 2021 $9.5M, 2022 $8.0M, 2023 −$3.9M, 2024 −$12.1M, 2025 −$14.8M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 9945 · archived copy
Future landfill and similar closing costs recorded: $4.6M. Long-term debt: $19.7M. Temporary loans: $0.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 2920, 2699, 2099 · archived copy