Questions · 11 so far
We read North Perth's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 41 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+178%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $2.0M on running the town office in 2019 and $5.6M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+222%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $3.6M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $11.6M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$3,448per home on long-term debt, 2025
North Perth spent about $3,448 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $1,119. Only 4 of 41 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.
$1the price United Housing paid in 2025 for a complex the Municipality bought for $5,297,241 in 2011
Perth Meadows is a seniors' complex of 18 town homes and 36 suites, on Nelson Avenue South in Listowel. The Municipality bought its assets in November 2011 for $5,297,241 and has run it since. In 2025 it transferred the property, the land and the running of it to United Housing, a not-for-profit housing provider, for $1. The audited statements say the Municipality also handed over $4,948,067 in cash and deposit balances and passed on $6,806,115 owed to residents (life lease deposits and deferred revenue), and recorded a loss of $4,948,712. The Municipality has explained why: it says it looked for a not-for-profit partner to run the complex, and kept a right to buy it back for $2 if the property stops being used as attainable seniors' housing. We did not find the price decision, a valuation or the transfer agreement in the documents we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 6 sources
$(556,082)building-code reserve at December 31, 2025, down from $84,227 at the end of 2023
A reserve is money set aside by Council for one purpose. Building permit fees are meant to pay for the building department, and the Municipality keeps a separate reserve for it. At the end of 2023 that reserve held $84,227. At the end of 2024 it was a deficit of $398,847, and at the end of 2025 a deficit of $556,082. The 2026 budget again plans to take $87,800 out of the reserve. The Municipality has explained part of this: it says Council is phasing in permit fee increases to "gradually rebuild a reasonable reserve fund" and that the department should break even once it reaches full staffing.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$(16.89) millionforecast balance of the development charge reserves in 2035, in the 2026 budget book
Development charges are fees builders pay when they build new homes, to cover roads, pipes and other growth costs. The 2026 budget book forecasts the total of the development charge reserves at $1.33 million at the end of 2026, then below zero from 2028 onward, ending at $(16.89) million in 2035. The area-specific reserve for one area (marked NEMP) is already forecast at $(5.04) million in 2026. The stormwater reserve, which pays for drainage, is forecast to go negative from 2028 and reach $(6.43) million. The book says "some experience cash flow pressures that require funding from external sources" and that these projects will be re-checked in future budgets. The ten-year capital plan totals $150.00 million, and the budget plans $15.20 million of it from debentures (borrowing).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
September 9, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2023 statements (about 20 months after year end, worked out by us)
Audited financial statements are the yearly report card on a town's finances, checked by an outside auditor. The auditor's reports on the statements now posted by the Municipality are dated September 9, 2025 for the year ended December 31, 2023, December 3, 2025 for 2024, and August 14, 2026 for 2025. We worked out that this is about 20 months, 11 months and 7 and a half months after year end. All three give a clean opinion (the statements "present fairly"). We did not find an explanation for the delay in the documents we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+55%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $3.4M on roads and snow in 2019 and $5.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 7 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+54%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $3.7M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $5.7M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
7.15%total 2026 tax increase after the April 2026 amendment, up from 6.61% adopted on December 2, 2025
The Mayor's 2026 budget was adopted on December 2, 2025 under the strong mayor rules, with a total increase of 6.61% (about $160 on a median home). In March 2026 the Treasurer reported that two outside bills had come in higher than budgeted: the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority levy and the Ontario Provincial Police contract. The amendment adopted in April 2026 raised the total increase to 7.15% ($173.82 on a median home) and added $118,025 to the levy. The Treasurer's report also says the Province's cap on the 2026 police bill defers part of the cost, so at least $325,182 more is expected in 2027. The Municipality has explained both changes in its own report.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$2,711,521rise in budgeted staffing costs for 2026 (13.9%)
The 2026 budget book says staffing costs across the Municipality rise from $19,442,578 to $22,154,099, up $2,711,521 or 13.9%. The same book says "No additional staff or new resources have been included in the 2026 budget." It gives reasons for the rise: pay increases tied to the cost of living, more hours for volunteer firefighters to reach a full crew of 70, step increases for positions added in 2025, and the opening of a new childcare centre. Grants are budgeted to rise by $1,449,307, which the book says relates mainly to the childcare centre.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
+178%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $2.0M on running the town office in 2019 and $5.6M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +11% | +1% |
| 2021 | +21% | +4% |
| 2022 | +101% | +11% |
| 2023 | +101% | +16% |
| 2024 | +104% | +18% |
| 2025 | +178% | +21% |
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 North Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $2.0M, 2020 $2.2M, 2021 $2.4M, 2022 $4.0M, 2023 $4.0M, 2024 $4.1M, 2025 $5.6M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Senior management, from $1.8M to $5.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 51%. North Perth ranks 1st of 42.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 41 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+222%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $3.6M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $11.6M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −22% | +1% |
| 2021 | −8% | +4% |
| 2022 | +6% | +11% |
| 2023 | +45% | +16% |
| 2024 | +68% | +18% |
| 2025 | +222% | +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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $3.6M, 2020 $2.8M, 2021 $3.3M, 2022 $3.8M, 2023 $5.2M, 2024 $6.0M, 2025 $11.6M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $1.5M to $4.0M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 70%. North Perth ranks 1st of 42.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 41 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$3,448per home on long-term debt, 2025
North Perth spent about $3,448 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $1,119. Only 4 of 41 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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Long-term debt per home: North Perth $3,448; typical similar town $1,119; ranked 5th highest of 42.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 41 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$1the price United Housing paid in 2025 for a complex the Municipality bought for $5,297,241 in 2011
Perth Meadows is a seniors' complex of 18 town homes and 36 suites, on Nelson Avenue South in Listowel. The Municipality bought its assets in November 2011 for $5,297,241 and has run it since. In 2025 it transferred the property, the land and the running of it to United Housing, a not-for-profit housing provider, for $1. The audited statements say the Municipality also handed over $4,948,067 in cash and deposit balances and passed on $6,806,115 owed to residents (life lease deposits and deferred revenue), and recorded a loss of $4,948,712. The Municipality has explained why: it says it looked for a not-for-profit partner to run the complex, and kept a right to buy it back for $2 if the property stops being used as attainable seniors' housing. We did not find the price decision, a valuation or the transfer agreement in the documents we read.
A public building and a large pile of cash and deposits left the Municipality's books for a price of $1. That may be a way to move a housing project to a group built to run it, and it also ends a promise the Municipality had made to buy back residents' units. But a reader cannot tell from the statements how the terms were set, or whether Council saw a valuation first.
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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Perth Meadows transfer agreement and valuation, with wording you can copy.
Note 2, Perth Meadows obligation: "In November 2011, the Municipality purchased the assets of Perth Adult Life Care Residences for $5,297,241." The note says the Municipality "completed the transfer of Perth Meadows, located at 710 Nelson Avenue South, to United Housing, a not-for-profit housing provider, for nominal consideration of $1". At closing the Municipality "transferred cash and deposit-related balances totaling $4,948,067" and assigned obligations "totaling $6,806,115". United Housing repaid an $800,000 promissory note by offset. Tangible capital assets with a net book value of $6,527,658 were transferred. The Municipality kept an Infrastructure Ontario loan with a balance of $519,013 at the transfer date, which United Housing is to pay until November 16, 2037. "As a result of the transfer, the Municipality recognized a loss on disposal of $4,948,712". It may repurchase the property for $2 if, within 15 years, United Housing stops operating it as attainable seniors' housing under a not-for-profit model.
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 14, 2026) · Note 2, PDF page 15 (printed page 11)
Statement of operations, 2025: expenses for "Perth meadows" were budgeted at 687,159, came in at 5,540,880, and were 527,650 in 2024. "Annual surplus" was budgeted at 4,871,144 and came in at 1,379,349 (2024 actual 6,236,702).
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 14, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 6 (printed page 2)
Note 9, Accumulated surplus: the reserve fund line "Perth Meadows" stands at a deficit of (1,138,150) at the end of 2024 and shows "-" at the end of 2025.
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 14, 2026) · Note 9, PDF page 19 (printed page 15)
The Treasurer's report says: "With the transfer of Perth Meadows to United Housing completed in December 2025, the associated operating budget is no longer required and will be removed from the 2026 Budget." It adds: "As Perth Meadows operated on a fully self-funded basis, removal of this budget item has no impact on the general tax levy."
Council Report, 2026 Proposed Budget Amendment, March 23, 2026 (Director of Corporate Services / Treasurer) · page 2, section "Perth Meadows" (PDF page 2)
The Municipality's news release says United Housing, part of United Way Perth-Huron, is acquiring Perth Meadows and taking over its operations, and that the Municipality has been working since 2014 to find a partner to operate it. It says the plan is to keep supporting the residence as an affordable 55+ community.
Municipality of North Perth news release, December 3, 2025 (Perth Meadows transition) · news release dated December 3, 2025, paragraphs 1 and 3 (web page)
Note 2: "The senior's complex is currently made up of 18 town homes and 36 suite units which the Municipality is offering as life lease or rental units."
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 14, 2026) · Note 2, PDF page 15 (printed page 11)
$(556,082)building-code reserve at December 31, 2025, down from $84,227 at the end of 2023
A reserve is money set aside by Council for one purpose. Building permit fees are meant to pay for the building department, and the Municipality keeps a separate reserve for it. At the end of 2023 that reserve held $84,227. At the end of 2024 it was a deficit of $398,847, and at the end of 2025 a deficit of $556,082. The 2026 budget again plans to take $87,800 out of the reserve. The Municipality has explained part of this: it says Council is phasing in permit fee increases to "gradually rebuild a reasonable reserve fund" and that the department should break even once it reaches full staffing.
A negative reserve means the building department has spent more than its fees brought in, and the shortfall has been covered by other money for now. Permit fees are meant to pay for permits, not for the tax levy. If the gap keeps growing, either fees must rise or taxes will end up covering 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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Building department fee plan and reserve forecast, with wording you can copy.
Note 9, Accumulated surplus, reserves set aside by council: "Building code enforcements" (556,082) at December 31, 2025 and (398,847) at December 31, 2024.
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 14, 2026) · Note 9, PDF page 19 (printed page 15)
Note 9, Accumulated surplus, reserves set aside by council: "Building code enforcements" (398,847) at December 31, 2024 and 84,227 at December 31, 2023.
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, December 3, 2025) · Note 9, PDF page 18
Building department budget: user-pay fees (896,155) approved for 2025 and (896,200) proposed for 2026. Total expense 886,743 for 2025 and 984,000 for 2026, up 97,257 (11.0%). Transfers to/(from) reserve 9,412 for 2025 and (87,800) for 2026. The page says the department "is expected to operate on a self-sustaining basis as it reaches full staffing capacity." The reserve forecast table lists "SP5 Building Code Administration" at (0.40) in each year from 2026 to 2035 (millions of dollars).
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · Building budget, PDF page 38; reserve forecast, PDF page 87
Development and Protective Services priorities: "Council's phase-in of building permit fee increases continue to be implemented to balance cost recovery and gradually rebuild a reasonable reserve fund."
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · page 33, Priority Areas and Objectives (PDF page 33)
$(16.89) millionforecast balance of the development charge reserves in 2035, in the 2026 budget book
Development charges are fees builders pay when they build new homes, to cover roads, pipes and other growth costs. The 2026 budget book forecasts the total of the development charge reserves at $1.33 million at the end of 2026, then below zero from 2028 onward, ending at $(16.89) million in 2035. The area-specific reserve for one area (marked NEMP) is already forecast at $(5.04) million in 2026. The stormwater reserve, which pays for drainage, is forecast to go negative from 2028 and reach $(6.43) million. The book says "some experience cash flow pressures that require funding from external sources" and that these projects will be re-checked in future budgets. The ten-year capital plan totals $150.00 million, and the budget plans $15.20 million of it from debentures (borrowing).
A negative reserve is a promise to spend money that has not come in yet. The Municipality can wait for builders' fees or borrow in the meantime, and borrowing is paid back by taxpayers or ratepayers if the fees do not arrive. Residents can only judge the risk if the plan says how big the gap is and what covers it.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for North Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Forecasted Reserve Fund Balances ($M): "Total Development Charges" 1.33 (2026), 0.51 (2027), (4.50) (2028), (7.30) (2029), (5.86) (2030), (4.42) (2031), (3.59) (2032), (16.70) (2033), (15.30) (2034), (16.89) (2035). "GR1 Development Charges (NEMP)" (5.04) in 2026 and (6.29) in each year after. "AM4 Stormwater" 1.68 (2026), 0.99 (2027), (0.29) (2028), (1.30) (2029), (2.30) (2030), (3.79) (2031), (5.63) (2032), (6.00) (2033), (5.92) (2034), (6.43) (2035). The page notes: "Reserve balances represent what is unencumbered at year end."
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · Forecasted Reserve Fund Balances ($M), PDF page 87
Capital Funding Overview: "While most reserves remain stable or are trending upward, some experience cash flow pressures that require funding from external sources. Projects contributing to these pressures will be re-evaluated through future budget processes to ensure long-term financial balance." Capital Funding Summary, total $25.30 (2026) and $150.00 (10-year forecast), in millions: Development Charges $4.20 and $36.00; Debentures $2.00 and $15.20.
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · page 13, Capital Funding Summary (PDF page 13)
Corporate Services capital projects include "5208 Development Charges Study Update" at 35,000 in each of three years, 105,000 in total. The ten-year detail lists "59005 Contribution from Debentures" of -2,035,000, -1,917,000, -6,490,000 and -4,775,000 across four years, -15,217,000 in total.
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · Corporate Services capital, PDF page 26; ten-year funding detail, PDF page 86
Note 16, Long-term debt: total long-term debt of $20,548,767 at December 31, 2025 ($21,546,167 in 2024). Principal repayments due: 2026 $941,814, 2027 $970,969, 2028 $975,426, 2029 $1,005,292, 2030 $1,036,120, thereafter $15,619,146.
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 14, 2026) · Note 16, PDF pages 24 and 25
September 9, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2023 statements (about 20 months after year end, worked out by us)
Audited financial statements are the yearly report card on a town's finances, checked by an outside auditor. The auditor's reports on the statements now posted by the Municipality are dated September 9, 2025 for the year ended December 31, 2023, December 3, 2025 for 2024, and August 14, 2026 for 2025. We worked out that this is about 20 months, 11 months and 7 and a half months after year end. All three give a clean opinion (the statements "present fairly"). We did not find an explanation for the delay in the documents we read.
Residents and council use audited numbers to judge whether money was handled properly, and a long wait means the facts arrive after the decisions. A clean opinion shows the numbers are fair; it does not say why they were late.
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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Auditor's communications to Council on the 2023 and 2024 audits, with wording you can copy.
Independent Auditor's Report, signed "Kitchener, Canada" and dated "August 14, 2026", on the statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. Opinion: the statements "present fairly, in all material respects".
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 14, 2026) · Auditor's report, PDF pages 2 and 4
Independent Auditor's Report, signed "Kitchener, Canada" and dated "December 3, 2025", on the statements for the year ended December 31, 2024. Opinion: the statements "present fairly, in all material respects".
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, December 3, 2025) · Auditor's report, PDF pages 2 and 4
Independent Auditor's Report, signed "Kitchener, Canada" and dated "September 9, 2025", on the statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. Opinion: the statements "present fairly, in all material respects".
Municipality of North Perth, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2023 (KPMG LLP, September 9, 2025) · Auditor's report, PDF pages 2 and 5
+55%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $3.4M on roads and snow in 2019 and $5.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 7 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +1% | +1% |
| 2021 | +0% | +4% |
| 2022 | +15% | +11% |
| 2023 | +29% | +16% |
| 2024 | +51% | +18% |
| 2025 | +55% | +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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $3.4M, 2020 $3.4M, 2021 $3.4M, 2022 $3.9M, 2023 $4.4M, 2024 $5.1M, 2025 $5.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Paved roads, from $985K to $2.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 41%. North Perth ranks 8th of 42.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 41 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+54%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
North Perth spent $3.7M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $5.7M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +20% | +1% |
| 2021 | +86% | +4% |
| 2022 | +57% | +11% |
| 2023 | +43% | +16% |
| 2024 | +43% | +18% |
| 2025 | +54% | +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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $3.7M, 2020 $4.5M, 2021 $7.0M, 2022 $5.9M, 2023 $5.3M, 2024 $5.4M, 2025 $5.7M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Sewage treatment, from $1.1M to $2.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
7.15%total 2026 tax increase after the April 2026 amendment, up from 6.61% adopted on December 2, 2025
The Mayor's 2026 budget was adopted on December 2, 2025 under the strong mayor rules, with a total increase of 6.61% (about $160 on a median home). In March 2026 the Treasurer reported that two outside bills had come in higher than budgeted: the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority levy and the Ontario Provincial Police contract. The amendment adopted in April 2026 raised the total increase to 7.15% ($173.82 on a median home) and added $118,025 to the levy. The Treasurer's report also says the Province's cap on the 2026 police bill defers part of the cost, so at least $325,182 more is expected in 2027. The Municipality has explained both changes in its own report.
Residents saw one number in December and paid another after April. The reasons are published and come from bills the Municipality does not set. The open part is 2027: part of this year's police cost has been pushed into next year's 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 Perth? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Background: "On December 2, 2025, the 2026 Mayor's Budget was adopted pursuant to strong mayor powers", with 5.46% for general municipal services and 1.15% for the OPP, "a total tax increase of 6.61%, or approximately $160". Conservation authority levy budgeted at $494,500 and confirmed at $544,046, "a variance of $49,546". OPP contract budgeted at $3,275,400 and confirmed at $3,343,879, "a shortfall of $68,479". Revised increase: 5.69% general plus 1.46% OPP, "a total 7.15 % increase, or $173.82" on the median-assessed home.
Council Report, 2026 Proposed Budget Amendment, March 23, 2026 (Director of Corporate Services / Treasurer) · pages 1 and 2 (PDF pages 1 and 2)
OPP billing: "The 2026 capped amount is approximately $463,364 lower than the fully calculated cost." The report says "a minimum increase of approximately $325,182 will be required in 2027, creating additional base pressure in the next budget cycle."
Council Report, 2026 Proposed Budget Amendment, March 23, 2026 (Director of Corporate Services / Treasurer) · page 2, section "Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Contract" (PDF page 2)
Capital items added: Space Needs Study $75,000, Records Management Project an additional $60,000 to an existing $45,000, and Council Chambers A/V System Replacement $120,000, each funded from reserves. The report asks Council to shorten the legislated periods to a Council amendment period of 20 days, a Mayor veto period of 1 day and a Council veto override period of 13 days so the amendment could be considered at the April 13, 2026 meeting.
Council Report, 2026 Proposed Budget Amendment, March 23, 2026 (Director of Corporate Services / Treasurer) · pages 3 and 4 (PDF pages 3 and 4)
The Municipality's release says the amendment adds $118,025 to the general tax levy, bringing the total levy to $23,194,694, a combined increase of 7.15%, or about $173.82 a year for a median home.
Municipality of North Perth media release, April 14, 2026 (2026 Mayor's Budget Amendments Adopted) · media release dated April 14, 2026 (web page)
$2,711,521rise in budgeted staffing costs for 2026 (13.9%)
The 2026 budget book says staffing costs across the Municipality rise from $19,442,578 to $22,154,099, up $2,711,521 or 13.9%. The same book says "No additional staff or new resources have been included in the 2026 budget." It gives reasons for the rise: pay increases tied to the cost of living, more hours for volunteer firefighters to reach a full crew of 70, step increases for positions added in 2025, and the opening of a new childcare centre. Grants are budgeted to rise by $1,449,307, which the book says relates mainly to the childcare centre.
Pay and benefits are the biggest single part of the operating budget. A 13.9% rise is more than twice the 6.61% tax increase adopted for 2026. Residents can only judge it if they can see how much comes from each reason, and how much of it is paid by grants rather than taxes.
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2026 Operating Budget at a Glance: "Staffing Costs" 19,442,578 (2025 approved) and 22,154,099 (2026 proposed), change 2,711,521, 13.9%. "Total Expense" 35,582,620 and 38,898,374, up 3,315,754, 9.3%. "Grants" revenue (5,363,343) and (6,812,650), change (1,449,307), 27.0%. The page says the increase is driven by salary adjustments "in line with the Consumer Price Index, the opening of a new childcare centre, and the continued adjustment to compensation for volunteer firefighters."
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · Operating Budget at a Glance, PDF page 84
Operating Budget Summary: "No additional staff or new resources have been included in the 2026 budget." The drivers listed for wages and benefits are cost-of-living adjustments, "increased Volunteer Firefighter hours to achieve a complement of 70 firefighters", and step adjustments for positions introduced through the 2025 budget process. The total operating budget is projected at $48.9M, with a levy increase of $1.8M and a total levy of $23.2M.
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · page 11, Operating Budget Summary (PDF page 11)
Development and Protective Services (fire, by-law and planning): staffing costs 1,440,006 (2025 approved) and 1,635,200 (2026 proposed), up 195,294, 13.6%.
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · page 37, 2026 Department Operating Budget (PDF page 37)
Mayor's Message: "this budget – with an average increase to property taxes equivalent to 6.61% – positions us for our time"
Municipality of North Perth, 2026 Mayor's Budget (updated April 2026) · Mayor's Message, PDF page 3