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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Oro-Medonte'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 · 11 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Oro-Medonte's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 46 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.
March 26, 2026date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements
Audited financial statements are the yearly report card on a town's money, checked by an outside accountant. The auditor's report on the 2024 statements is dated March 26, 2026, which is 15 months after the year ended (worked out by us). The 2023 report is dated May 30, 2025, about 17 months after its year ended (worked out by us). On October 5, 2026 the Township's statements page did not list statements for 2025. The Township's budget notes say a new finance system was being set up in 2024 and 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$2,807,652gain on sale of capital assets in 2024, against $25,963 in 2023
When a town sells something for more than its value on the books, the difference is a gain. In 2024 the statements show a gain of $2,807,652 on the sale of capital assets, against $25,963 the year before. The statements show proceeds of $3,023,966. The items sold had a book value of only $216,315 (worked out by us: $1,434,508 of original cost less $1,218,193 of amortization). The gain is split between general government ($1,692,154) and protection services ($1,115,498). The Township's budget lists "land inventory - divestment and reinvestment" as a pressure it is managing.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$3,966,607Indoor Recreation account at the end of 2025, shown without brackets
Development charges are fees builders pay so growth helps cover the cost of new roads, fire halls and recreation. Each type goes in its own account. In Schedule A for 2025, accounts that hold money are shown in brackets. The Indoor Recreation account closes at $3,966,607 and Fire Protection at $2,475,303 with no brackets. By that reading, both owe money to other accounts (worked out by us; the report does not say so). The total across all accounts is $1,136,319. $5,963,513 went from Indoor Recreation to the Simcoe Woods Community Centre, which looks like the project the budget calls the Horseshoe Valley Community Centre.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$10,155,000received from the City of Barrie in 2026 for the land transferred
On January 1, 2026, land moved from Oro-Medonte to the City of Barrie under a provincial law. The Township says Barrie paid $10,155,000, the same as $15,000 per acre. At that price the payment covers 677 acres, about 274 hectares (worked out by us). The 2024 statements say about 457 hectares moved, which is about 1,129 acres (worked out by us). The two documents are not wrong by themselves, but the numbers do not line up yet.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$352,653cut from the 2026 capital levy contribution on January 28, 2026
The capital levy is the part of property tax that is saved each year to replace roads, bridges and buildings. The Township's asset plan says it needs about $21.8M a year, and it has saved about $5.8M a year, leaving a $16M gap. In May 2025 Council adopted a 2026 net tax increase of 3.98%. On January 28, 2026, Council approved the Mayor's proposed cut of $352,653 to the capital levy, which "would result in an overall 2026 recalibrated blended tax increase of 3.30%". Council also shortened the time to propose amendments from 30 days to 12.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$325,000Ontario Land Tribunal legal budget in 2024, down to $95,000 for 2025
In the Township's 2024 budget survey, residents commented on legal fees, naming "Zone 1, Short Term Rentals, Cannabis". The Ontario Land Tribunal is where planning disputes are decided. Its legal line was $100,000 in 2023, $325,000 in 2024 and $95,000 in 2025 and 2026. The budget says the cost "can only be confirmed through litigation or appeals" and will be drawn from reserves as needed. Legal and insurance costs are combined on one line (Risk Management, $980,000 in 2025).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
Oro-Medonte spent $3.9M on running the town office in 2019 and $6.8M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 9 of 46 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 6 sources
Oro-Medonte spent $4.9M on roads and snow in 2019 and $7.7M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 5 of 46 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 7 sources
$12,388,515capital spent in 2024, against a budgeted $24,051,790
Capital spending means buying or building things that last, such as roads, bridges and vehicles. The 2024 budget in the statements planned $24,051,790 of it. The Township spent $12,388,515. That is $11,663,275 less than planned (worked out by us). The statements show an annual surplus of $12,252,006 against a budgeted $9,513,784. The Township's capital budget lists $9,921,450 of 2024 projects that were still in progress and are to be finished and paid for in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$2,245,910investment income in 2024, against a budget of $700,000
Investment income is the interest a town earns on cash and savings certificates. It was about three times the budget in 2024 and more than three times in 2023. The Township's budget explains that it has chosen "a more aggressive investment strategy" and raised its 2025 budget for that revenue. It has not said how much of the cash is invested or at what rates.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
March 26, 2026date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements
Audited financial statements are the yearly report card on a town's money, checked by an outside accountant. The auditor's report on the 2024 statements is dated March 26, 2026, which is 15 months after the year ended (worked out by us). The 2023 report is dated May 30, 2025, about 17 months after its year ended (worked out by us). On October 5, 2026 the Township's statements page did not list statements for 2025. The Township's budget notes say a new finance system was being set up in 2024 and 2025.
Why it matters
Residents and council can only check how the money was really spent when the statements are out. Late statements mean a year of decisions is made without the final numbers, and this is the last council meeting cycle before the October 26, 2026 election.
It could be because…
The Township moved its accounting to a new system (Dynamics GP) and its budget says the work was only 60% done in 2024, which could slow a year-end close.
The Township added finance staff in 2025 after a review of its finance department, so the team may have been rebuilding.
The Township may have sent its provincial return (the FIR) on time using draft numbers. We did not check when it was filed.
The statements for 2025 may be finished and simply not yet posted to the page we read.
Questions you could ask
When will council receive the audited 2025 statements, and what held up the 2024 and 2023 statements?
When were the 2023 and 2024 financial information returns sent to the Province, and were they based on audited numbers?
Will the 2025 statements be public before the new council takes office?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Independent auditor's report on the 2024 statements, signed "Baker Tilly KDN LLP", "Peterborough, Ontario", dated March 26, 2026. The opinion says the statements "present fairly, in all material respects". The page's hidden text layer also holds two earlier dates (February 25, 2026 and March 18, 2026) that do not show when the page is viewed; we used the date that shows.
Auditor's report on the 2023 statements: "Peterborough, Ontario", date that shows on the page May 30, 2025. The page's hidden text layer also holds May 6, 2025, which does not show when the page is viewed.
Note 21, Subsequent events: "On December 11, 2025, the Province of Ontario enacted the Barrie - Oro-Medonte - Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025". The 2024 statements were still being finished after that date.
Finance page: "Please find Audited Financial Statement Summaries for 2011 to 2023 below." The links listed run from "2024 Statement" back to "2011 Statement". No 2025 statement is listed (page read October 5, 2026).
Finance department budget, 2026 change note: the decrease in transfers from the Budget Contingency Reserve "reflects the reduced need for additional work on the Dynamics GP system implementation, as 60% of this work was completed in the previous year." The 2025 note says the transfer covers "the additional work required for the Dynamics GP system implementation and data organization." The 2025 salary note says the increase is "a result of KPMG's Finance Department review and the Council's approval on November 27, 2024" and adds two new permanent positions.
$2,807,652gain on sale of capital assets in 2024, against $25,963 in 2023
When a town sells something for more than its value on the books, the difference is a gain. In 2024 the statements show a gain of $2,807,652 on the sale of capital assets, against $25,963 the year before. The statements show proceeds of $3,023,966. The items sold had a book value of only $216,315 (worked out by us: $1,434,508 of original cost less $1,218,193 of amortization). The gain is split between general government ($1,692,154) and protection services ($1,115,498). The Township's budget lists "land inventory - divestment and reinvestment" as a pressure it is managing.
Why it matters
Selling land and buildings the public owns is a big decision, and the money is one-time. Residents should be able to see what was sold, to whom and for how much, and whether the money went into reserves for later needs.
It could be because…
Old land bought long ago at low cost can show a large gain when sold at today's prices, even if the price was fair.
Fully worn-out vehicles and equipment can sell for far more than their book value, which is close to nothing.
Council may have declared the land surplus and approved each sale in an open meeting. We could not read the agendas or minutes.
Questions you could ask
Which properties and vehicles were sold in 2024, and for how much each?
Did Council approve each land sale in an open meeting, and how was the $3,023,966 used: operating, a reserve, or new capital?
How much of the Protection Services gain of $1,115,498 came from selling vehicles or equipment?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, "Gain/(loss) on disposal of tangible capital assets": 2024 budget "-", actual 2,807,652; 2023 actual 25,963.
Statement of change in net financial assets: "Gain on disposal of tangible capital assets" (2,807,652); "Proceeds on sale of tangible capital assets" 3,023,966 (2023: 26,963).
Schedule of tangible capital assets, "Less: disposals during the year" at cost: Land 164,461; Buildings 176,951; Vehicles 1,093,096; total 1,434,508. Accumulated amortization on disposals: Buildings 138,136; Vehicles 1,080,057; total 1,218,193.
Schedule of segment disclosure, 2024, "Gain/(loss) on disposal of tangible capital assets": General Government 1,692,154; Protection Services 1,115,498; total 2,807,652.
$3,966,607Indoor Recreation account at the end of 2025, shown without brackets
Development charges are fees builders pay so growth helps cover the cost of new roads, fire halls and recreation. Each type goes in its own account. In Schedule A for 2025, accounts that hold money are shown in brackets. The Indoor Recreation account closes at $3,966,607 and Fire Protection at $2,475,303 with no brackets. By that reading, both owe money to other accounts (worked out by us; the report does not say so). The total across all accounts is $1,136,319. $5,963,513 went from Indoor Recreation to the Simcoe Woods Community Centre, which looks like the project the budget calls the Horseshoe Valley Community Centre.
Why it matters
Development charges are meant to be spent on growth costs only. If one account is spent ahead of the fees coming in, other accounts are covering it, and future builders' fees must pay it back. Residents want to know the plan and how much interest the Township pays itself.
It could be because…
The law lets a town spend development charges ahead of collecting them when the by-law plans for it, to be repaid from future charges.
The community centre is a partnership with the school board and a long project (2024 to 2027), so its cost lands before the fees do.
The two reports use different names for what is probably one project (Simcoe Woods and Horseshoe Valley). This is our reading from the matching $8,900,765.
Questions you could ask
Are the Indoor Recreation and Fire Protection accounts overdrawn, and which accounts cover them?
How will the Indoor Recreation balance be paid back, and does the Township charge interest to the borrowing account?
Why is the $3,545,912 opening balance in the 2025 statement different from the $3,681,413 in the 2024 audited statements?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Schedule A, Indoor recreation: opening balance Jan 1, 2025 ($1,417,128); total revenues ($579,778); transfers to capital $5,963,513; closing balance Dec 31, 2025 $3,966,607. Fire Protection: opening balance $2,962,066; closing balance $2,475,303. Total of all accounts: opening ($3,545,912), closing ($1,136,319).
Table 1, 2025 Development Charges Summary: beginning balance $3,545,912; development charges received $3,579,951; interest earned $208,180; provincial grant funding $169,163; projects funded by development charges during 2025 $6,366,887; closing balance Dec 31, 2025 $1,136,319.
Indoor Recreation project 442306, "Simcoe Woods Community Centre Phase 1", timing 2024-2027, "In partmenship with SCDSB": gross capital cost estimate $8,900,765; DC reserve committed $5,963,513; other funding $1,303,551; 82% of project funded by DC reserve.
$10,155,000received from the City of Barrie in 2026 for the land transferred
On January 1, 2026, land moved from Oro-Medonte to the City of Barrie under a provincial law. The Township says Barrie paid $10,155,000, the same as $15,000 per acre. At that price the payment covers 677 acres, about 274 hectares (worked out by us). The 2024 statements say about 457 hectares moved, which is about 1,129 acres (worked out by us). The two documents are not wrong by themselves, but the numbers do not line up yet.
Why it matters
This is a once-only sale of public land worth over ten million dollars, and the Township says it will go to reserves for infrastructure. Residents should be able to see how the payment was worked out and whether all the land is covered.
It could be because…
Some of the 457 hectares may be roads, ditches or other land that is not paid for by the acre.
The $15,000 price may apply only to some kinds of land, with other land priced in the agreement in another way. We could not read the agreement.
The statements say "approximately" 457 hectares and were written before the final agreement was signed.
Questions you could ask
How many acres did the $10,155,000 cover, and how does that match the 457 hectares in the statements?
Which reserve funds received the $10,155,000, and what is it planned for?
Were any lands or costs left out of the agreement, such as roads or services the Township built?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"The Township has received compensation in the amount of $10,155,000 from the City of Barrie, for the transfer of Oro-Medonte lands to the City, that took place on January 1, 2026. This compensation is the equivalent to $15,000 per acre." It also says 26 properties were impacted, "less than 1% of Oro-Medonte's land area", and that the funds will be directed to the Township's reserve funds.
Note 21, Subsequent events: "Under the Act, approximately 457 hectares are being transferred from the Township of Oro-Medonte to the City of Barrie." and "No regulations establishing compensation have been filed at this time."
$352,653cut from the 2026 capital levy contribution on January 28, 2026
The capital levy is the part of property tax that is saved each year to replace roads, bridges and buildings. The Township's asset plan says it needs about $21.8M a year, and it has saved about $5.8M a year, leaving a $16M gap. In May 2025 Council adopted a 2026 net tax increase of 3.98%. On January 28, 2026, Council approved the Mayor's proposed cut of $352,653 to the capital levy, which "would result in an overall 2026 recalibrated blended tax increase of 3.30%". Council also shortened the time to propose amendments from 30 days to 12.
Why it matters
Each year of saving less than needed is a bill passed to later taxpayers. A smaller tax increase is welcome now, especially in an election year, but residents should see what the trade is.
It could be because…
Even after the cut, the 2026 capital levy ($8,429,082 in the draft, less $352,653, worked out by us as $8,076,429) is still above 2025's $7,175,639 and the earlier average of $5.8M.
The Township expects to put the $10,155,000 from Barrie into reserves, which could make up for a smaller levy.
The 3.98% and 3.30% may not measure exactly the same thing. We could not read the recalibration presentation to check.
Questions you could ask
What did the 2026 tax increase and the capital levy each look like before and after the recalibration, on one basis?
Does Council plan to count the $10,155,000 from Barrie toward the $16M yearly gap, and if so, for how many years?
Why was the amendment window shortened from 30 days to 12 days?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Motion No. C260128-5: "Council approve the Mayor's proposed reduction of $352,653 to the capital levy contribution not reflected in the current draft 2026 budget which would result in an overall 2026 recalibrated blended tax increase of 3.30%." Motion No. C260128-6 cuts the time to make an amendment "from 30 days to 12 days (February 4, 2026)".
"The net property tax increases for 2025 and 2026 are 4.07% and 3.98% respectively, and are inclusive of the County of Simcoe, School Boards, and the Township." It adds that Council is "increasing contributions to reserves to stabilize the future integrity of capital infrastructure requirements".
Asset Management Plan, Funding Deficit: "Estimated average ten-year (2024-2033) costs for lifecycle activities ... for all assets is $21.8M annually." "... there will be an estimated annual funding gap of $16M, as annual capital levy reserve contributions have averaged $5.8M."
"These funds will be directed to the Township's reserve funds, where interest will be earned, and used for future infrastructure replacement/renewal, reducing the amount of future tax levy dollars needed to fund capital renewal" (about the $10,155,000 from the City of Barrie).
$325,000Ontario Land Tribunal legal budget in 2024, down to $95,000 for 2025
In the Township's 2024 budget survey, residents commented on legal fees, naming "Zone 1, Short Term Rentals, Cannabis". The Ontario Land Tribunal is where planning disputes are decided. Its legal line was $100,000 in 2023, $325,000 in 2024 and $95,000 in 2025 and 2026. The budget says the cost "can only be confirmed through litigation or appeals" and will be drawn from reserves as needed. Legal and insurance costs are combined on one line (Risk Management, $980,000 in 2025).
Why it matters
Legal bills are hard for residents to see. When a budget line is set low and paid from reserves if needed, the tax levy looks smaller than what the Township actually spends.
It could be because…
Some cases may have ended, so a lower budget can be reasonable. The budget says the figure is an estimate.
The Township says it moved to the County's insurance pool and expected lower premiums, so Risk Management fell for that reason.
A legal reserve exists to take the shock of unexpected cases, and $100,000 a year is budgeted to keep it topped up.
Questions you could ask
How much did the Township spend on outside legal counsel in 2024 and 2025, split between insurance and legal, and how much came from the legal reserve?
How much of the Ontario Land Tribunal spending was for short-term rental and Zone 1 matters?
What is the legal reserve balance at the end of 2025?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Survey observations: "Several comments surrounding General Government and potential opportunities for efficiencies, in particular legal fees (Zone 1, Short Term Rentals, Cannabis)." The survey had "185 responses".
Planning, "Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)": 2023 budget 100,000; 2024 budget 325,000; 2025 draft 95,000; 2026 draft 95,000. Transfer from reserves (325,000) in 2024 and (95,000) in 2025. "The variance in legal consulting fees is based on an estimate and can only be confirmed through litigation or appeals. These fees will be drawn from reserves on an as-needed basis."
Shared Costs, "Risk Management": 2023 budget 1,070,502; 2024 budget 1,149,200; 2025 draft 980,000; 2026 draft 990,000. "Risk Management: This includes both legal and insurance costs." Transfers to reserves of 200,000 (2023, 2024) and 100,000 (2025, 2026) "to continue to cover the legal reserve for unanticipated legal costs".
Note 16, Contingencies: "The Township, in the course of its operations, is often named in lawsuits the outcomes of which are indeterminable at this time. No amounts in connection with these items have been reflected in these financial statements."
Oro-Medonte spent about $159 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $46. Only 3 of 46 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 does the Township count in the governance line of its provincial return, and how does it add up to the $159 per home?
What did Council members receive in pay and expenses in 2024 and 2025, and where is the yearly statement posted?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Council per home: Oro-Medonte $159; typical similar town $46; ranked 4th highest of 47.
Council department budget: 2024 salaries and benefits $358,711, meeting fees and expenses 40,200, Integrity Commissioner 18,000; "Gross Costs" 508,661; "Tax Levy Requirement" $568,661 (2025 draft $558,488). Council pay and expenses are not broken out further.
Oro-Medonte spent $3.9M on running the town office in 2019 and $6.8M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 9 of 46 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of running the town office grow 76% in 5 years?
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%
+76%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+25%
+1%
2021
+59%
+4%
2022
+59%
+11%
2023
+51%
+16%
2024
+76%
+18%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.
Questions you could ask
How much of the five-year rise is new staff, how much is software and licences, and how much is legal and insurance?
Which positions were added after the finance department review, and what did the review cost?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Running the town office: 2019 $3.9M, 2020 $4.8M, 2021 $6.1M, 2022 $6.1M, 2023 $5.8M, 2024 $6.8M.
Finance department: salaries and benefits 793,556 (2024) to 1,118,562 (2025 draft). "The increase is a result of KPMG's Finance Department review and the Council's approval on November 27, 2024." Two new permanent positions were created. Dynamics GP system work is funded from the Budget Contingency Reserve.
Information Technology: tax levy requirement 828,050 (2024 budget) to 1,206,675 (2025 draft). Materials and supplies 277,000 to 532,700, from "Centralized printer leases & computer sofware licenses" and "additional licensing costs - system modernization".
Oro-Medonte spent $4.9M on roads and snow in 2019 and $7.7M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 5 of 46 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of roads and snow grow 56% in 5 years?
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%
+56%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+2%
+1%
2021
+11%
+4%
2022
+17%
+11%
2023
+18%
+16%
2024
+56%
+18%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.
Questions you could ask
How much of the five-year rise is amortization (wearing out of assets) rather than cash spent on roads and snow?
What did the 2025 ice storm cleanup cost, and how much has been recovered?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Operations department: salaries and benefits $4,152,316 (2024 budget) to $4,845,711 (2025 draft). "This adjustment includes the conversion of positions to Senior Operators (leads) x4, Lead Mechanic, and the conversion of 2 seasonal positions to full-time for vegetation control."
$12,388,515capital spent in 2024, against a budgeted $24,051,790
Capital spending means buying or building things that last, such as roads, bridges and vehicles. The 2024 budget in the statements planned $24,051,790 of it. The Township spent $12,388,515. That is $11,663,275 less than planned (worked out by us). The statements show an annual surplus of $12,252,006 against a budgeted $9,513,784. The Township's capital budget lists $9,921,450 of 2024 projects that were still in progress and are to be finished and paid for in 2025.
Why it matters
Money not spent in one year does not vanish, but it can sit in reserves for years. Residents who paid for a plan deserve to know when the work will happen and whether the money is still set aside for it.
It could be because…
Big projects take more than one year, so money planned for 2024 is spent in 2025 and 2026. The Township lists $9,921,450 of such projects.
The Township says surpluses from the two earlier years were committed to its capital reserves, so the money is not unspent cash.
The statements' budget column is the Township's budget restated to match the accounting rules, and it counts the whole capital plan as spending.
Questions you could ask
Which 2024 capital projects were not finished, and how much of the $11,663,275 gap is carried into 2025 and later?
Why do the Township's reserves total $27,766,558, almost the same as a year before, when the budget planned to draw $10,297,424 from them?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of change in net financial assets, "Purchase of tangible capital assets": budget (24,051,790), actual (12,388,515), 2023 actual (9,227,187).
Note 13, Budget figures: "Council approved budgeted surplus" shown as "-"; "Tangible capital asset additions" 24,051,790; "Amortization of tangible capital assets" (5,914,811); "Principal repayment of long term debt" 1,674,229; "Transfers to/(from) reserves" (10,297,424); "Annual surplus reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations" 9,513,784. The statement of operations shows "ANNUAL SURPLUS" actual 12,252,006 (2023: 10,942,197) on page 7.
Note 12, Accumulated surplus: "Total Reserves" 27,766,558 at the end of 2024 (2023: 27,710,155). Note 2: cash "Restricted" 12,528,024 and "Unrestricted" 23,052,764.
"2024 IN-PROGRESS PROJECTS (to be completed and funded in 2025)": total 9,921,450. The largest line is "Horseshoe Valley Community Centre - SCDSB Partnership (In-Progress)" 8,900,765. The summary page shows the 2025 capital budget total as 30,152,565 including this line.
$2,245,910investment income in 2024, against a budget of $700,000
Investment income is the interest a town earns on cash and savings certificates. It was about three times the budget in 2024 and more than three times in 2023. The Township's budget explains that it has chosen "a more aggressive investment strategy" and raised its 2025 budget for that revenue. It has not said how much of the cash is invested or at what rates.
Why it matters
Interest the budget did not count is money that helped create each year's surplus. If it keeps happening, the budget may be asking taxpayers for more than needed. If interest rates fall, the extra money could shrink fast.
It could be because…
Interest rates were high in 2023 and 2024, and a cautious budget will usually under-count them.
The Township says it now puts more of its cash in higher-yielding short-term investments, and it has raised its 2025 budget for that line.
Part of the interest may belong to reserve funds (development charges and others) and be added to those funds.
Questions you could ask
How much interest did the Township earn in 2025, and how does it compare with the 2025 budget?
How much of the interest is added to reserve funds, and how much helps the tax levy?
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 Oro-Medonte?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, "Investment income": 2024 budget 700,000, actual 2,245,910; 2023 actual 1,936,193.
Note 3, Investments: "RBC Dominion Securities" 11,090,510 (2023: 10,738,216), "cash and fixed income GICs maturing between 2025 and 2028 earning interest at 1.190% to 5.650% per annum". Note 2: cash 35,580,788.
Corporate Non Departmental, "Other Revenue": 2024 budget (500,000), 2025 draft (1,002,000). "Other Revenue 2025: The Township has adopted a more aggressive investment strategy, placing more funds in higher-yielding short-term investments, that is anticipated to lead to increased investment revenue."
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