Questions · 3 so far
These questions come automatically from O'Connor's yearly financial reports to the Province, compared with 25 similar Ontario towns. Nobody has read this town's budget or minutes for this site yet, so there may be good explanations we have not seen.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$224Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. O'Connor had $224K saved at the end of 2025, down from $349K in 2019. That is 17% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 25 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$918per home on council, 2025
O'Connor spent about $918 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $117. None of the 25 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
−$296Knet financial position, 2025
In 2019, O'Connor had $222K more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$296K. Even leaving that out, only 1 of 25 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$224Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. O'Connor had $224K saved at the end of 2025, down from $349K in 2019. That is 17% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 25 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $349K |
| 2020 | $345K |
| 2021 | $301K |
| 2022 | $140K |
| 2023 | $208K |
| 2024 | $204K |
| 2025 | $224K |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real cost.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for O'Connor? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $349K, 2020 $345K, 2021 $301K, 2022 $140K, 2023 $208K, 2024 $204K, 2025 $224K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 59% of a year's spending. O'Connor: 17%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 25 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$918per home on council, 2025
O'Connor spent about $918 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $117. None of the 25 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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for O'Connor? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Council per home: O'Connor $918; typical similar town $117; ranked 1st highest of 26.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 25 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
−$296Knet financial position, 2025
In 2019, O'Connor had $222K more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$296K. Even leaving that out, only 1 of 25 similar towns are in a weaker position.
| Year | Net financial position |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $222K |
| 2020 | $169K |
| 2021 | $126K |
| 2022 | −$408K |
| 2023 | −$401K |
| 2024 | −$440K |
| 2025 | −$296K |
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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for O'Connor? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Net financial assets: 2019 $222K, 2020 $169K, 2021 $126K, 2022 −$408K, 2023 −$401K, 2024 −$440K, 2025 −$296K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 9945 · archived copy
Future landfill and similar closing costs recorded: $0. Long-term debt: $361K. Temporary loans: $0.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 2920, 2699, 2099 · archived copy