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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Penetanguishene'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 · 5 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Penetanguishene's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 89 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.
$45.0 millioncost of a new Multi-Use Recreation Centre in the Town's development charge study, against a 2026 operating and capital budget of $25.7 million
The Town's 2024 development charge study lists a new Multi-Use Recreation Centre costing $45.0 million, part of a $47.6 million parks and recreation program for 2024 to 2033. Development charges are fees on new buildings that pay for growth. The study says most of the program is not paid by them: it sets $34.7 million aside as benefiting existing residents, which the Town must pay from other sources, and only $7.8 million can be recovered through development charges. The Parks and Recreation development charge fund held $26,322 when the study was written. The Town's own ten-year capital plan, dated May 10, 2023 (the latest we found), has yearly totals that add up to about $42.4 million over ten years (worked out by us) and shows only small yearly transfers to a reserve for arena rehabilitation. The Town's 2026 operating and capital budget is $25.7 million. The Town's strategic plan update says staff are working with a project firm to refine next steps and set the budget for the project.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
813new dwelling units forecast for 2024 to 2033, against 6 new dwelling units in the Town's 2025 building figures
Development charges pay for growth only if growth happens. The Town's 2024 study forecasts 813 new dwelling units from mid-2024 to mid-2033, taking occupied homes from 4,139 to 4,952. Over the 15 years from 2008 to 2023 the study says occupied homes rose from 3,537 to 4,139, which is 602 (worked out by us). The Town's 2025 Year in Review lists 130 building permits, $10.2 million of construction and 6 new dwelling units. The study's own text says 813 homes "per year", but its table shows 813 as the ten-year total, which is how we read it. The Town adopted a by-law with the study's full maximum charges, from $25,306 for a single or semi-detached home.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Penetanguishene had $11M saved at the end of 2024, up from $9.8M in 2019. That is 58% of one year's spending. Only 15 of 89 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$686,304extra a year the Town would need by 2037 to maintain the assets in its development charge program (worked out by us from $293,383 and $392,921)
New roads, pipes and buildings paid for by development charges still cost money to keep up and replace. The Town's development charge study says that by 2034 the Town will need to find an additional $293,383 a year for general services, and by 2037 an additional $392,921 a year for engineered services (roads, water, sewer and stormwater), to properly fund the full life cycle of those new assets. Together that is $686,304 a year (worked out by us). The study says this comes from the Town; development charges do not cover it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
5recommendations made by the Ombudsman to Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny in October 2023
In October 2023 the Ombudsman of Ontario, who is the Town's closed meeting investigator, reported on a complaint about an April 19, 2022 presentation by the Huronia Airport Task Force to the councils of Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny. He found the three councils "contravened these rules" by not giving updated public notice of how to watch the virtual meeting, and "failed to record minutes". The report says the Town of Penetanguishene led the arrangements and livestreamed the meeting on its YouTube channel, but the notice did not include that link. The Ombudsman made five recommendations to the three municipalities. The report notes he received full co-operation.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$45.0 millioncost of a new Multi-Use Recreation Centre in the Town's development charge study, against a 2026 operating and capital budget of $25.7 million
The Town's 2024 development charge study lists a new Multi-Use Recreation Centre costing $45.0 million, part of a $47.6 million parks and recreation program for 2024 to 2033. Development charges are fees on new buildings that pay for growth. The study says most of the program is not paid by them: it sets $34.7 million aside as benefiting existing residents, which the Town must pay from other sources, and only $7.8 million can be recovered through development charges. The Parks and Recreation development charge fund held $26,322 when the study was written. The Town's own ten-year capital plan, dated May 10, 2023 (the latest we found), has yearly totals that add up to about $42.4 million over ten years (worked out by us) and shows only small yearly transfers to a reserve for arena rehabilitation. The Town's 2026 operating and capital budget is $25.7 million. The Town's strategic plan update says staff are working with a project firm to refine next steps and set the budget for the project.
Why it matters
A building that costs more than the Town's whole ten-year capital plan cannot be paid for out of current taxes. Residents may want to know how it would be paid for (debt, grants, reserves, tax increases), and when, before the plan goes further.
It could be because…
The Town says the project is at an early stage and that it is still setting the budget. The study says its capital program is a point-in-time analysis that may change.
Large projects are usually paid for by a mix of grants, borrowing, reserves and development charges over many years, not by one year's taxes.
The ten-year capital plan we read is from May 2023 and may have been replaced. A newer plan may be on the portal we could not open.
The study's timing for the Centre is listed as to be determined, so it may fall outside ten years.
Questions you could ask
What is the current estimate for the recreation centre, and how would the Town pay for it: grants, debt, reserves, development charges or taxes?
Is the centre in the Town's current capital plan, and if so in which year?
How much yearly debt cost could the Town carry for a project of this size, and when will Council see a funding 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 Penetanguishene?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"The 2024-2033 development-related capital program for Parks & Recreation totals to $47.6 million and is comprised of a new Multi-Use Recreation Centre, Wharf redevelopment, parkland and park facilities, new trail development, and studies." The next page gives the Centre's cost as $45.0 million, with timing to be determined. "A share of this program is deemed to benefit the existing residents, and $34.7 million is netted off the costs." "The DC eligible share is therefore reduced to $12.8 million." "A balance of $26,322 exists in the Parks & Recreation DC reserve fund and is available to fund part of the DC eligible portion of the program." "The 2024-2033 DC costs eligible for recovery amount to $7.8 million".
Yearly totals in the Town's ten-year capital plan: 2023 total 7,533,785; 2024 total 4,424,800; 2025 total 2,718,500; 2026 total 4,923,932; 2027 total 4,098,036; 2028 total 2,783,000; 2029 total 1,814,000; 2030 total 6,493,347; 2031 total 4,703,239; 2032 total 2,910,036. The plan lists "Arena Rehabilitation/Reconstruction TRANSFER TO RESERVE" lines of 80,000 (2023), 83,000 (2024) and 100,000 to 105,000 in later years, and no line for building a recreation centre.
Under Objective 2: "Move forward with the steps required for the construction of a multi-use recreation centre." (timing 0 - 5 years). Status: "Staff are working with Colliers Project Leaders to refine next steps and establish the associated budget for the project."
813new dwelling units forecast for 2024 to 2033, against 6 new dwelling units in the Town's 2025 building figures
Development charges pay for growth only if growth happens. The Town's 2024 study forecasts 813 new dwelling units from mid-2024 to mid-2033, taking occupied homes from 4,139 to 4,952. Over the 15 years from 2008 to 2023 the study says occupied homes rose from 3,537 to 4,139, which is 602 (worked out by us). The Town's 2025 Year in Review lists 130 building permits, $10.2 million of construction and 6 new dwelling units. The study's own text says 813 homes "per year", but its table shows 813 as the ten-year total, which is how we read it. The Town adopted a by-law with the study's full maximum charges, from $25,306 for a single or semi-detached home.
Why it matters
If growth comes in much lower than forecast, the charges collected will be lower than the projects assume, and the gap is paid from property taxes, water and sewer rates or debt. The study itself says a shortfall has to be made up from those sources.
It could be because…
Growth can come in waves, with many units in a few years after a quiet period.
The 2025 figure is one year, and the Town's Year in Review reports permits issued, not completions or future units already approved.
The Town says planning applications continue (17 received in 2025), so growth may be on the way.
The forecast follows the County of Simcoe's official plan targets, so it is not the Town's own guess.
Questions you could ask
How many new homes have received building permits since September 2024, and how many development charge dollars has the Town collected since the by-law came into force?
If growth stays near recent levels, which projects in the study would be delayed or paid for from taxes and rates?
Will Council see a yearly comparison of the development charge study's forecast against actual homes 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 Penetanguishene?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Table 1, summary of residential and non-residential development forecast: "Total Occupied Dwellings 4,139 813 4,952 1,057 5,196" (2023 estimate, growth, total at 2033, growth, total at 2036). The text on the earlier page says: "It is anticipated that the Town will add 813 new dwelling units per year between 2024 and 2033."
"Total occupied dwellings increased from 3,537 to 4,139 between 2008 and 2023 (see Table 1)." "The rates calculated as part of this study are the maximum permissible rates under the current legislation. Council may implement rates lower than those calculated, and the revenue shortfall will need to be made up from other sources namely property taxes and user fees."
Building Services, 2025: "130 permits issued." "569 inspections completed." "$10.2 million value in construction." "6 new dwelling units." Planning: "17 Planning Applications received."
Schedule of charges: "TOTAL CHARGE PER UNIT $25,306 $20,245 $16,702" (single and semi-detached, townhouses and other multiples, apartments) and "TOTAL CHARGE PER SQUARE METRE $142.72". The by-law comes into force "on the 1st day of September, 2024".
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Penetanguishene had $11M saved at the end of 2024, up from $9.8M in 2019. That is 58% of one year's spending. Only 15 of 89 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Does Penetanguishene have enough saved for repairs and emergencies?
$0$2.0M$4.0M$6.0M$8.0M$10M$12M
$11M
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Savings (reserves)
2019
$9.8M
2020
$11.8M
2021
$11.1M
2022
$10.3M
2023
$10.2M
2024
$11M
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
The town spent savings on purpose, on projects that were planned and saved up for.
Some savings were used to match grant money, which brings in more than it costs.
The town has a plan to rebuild its savings.
Questions you could ask
Does the town have a written reserve policy with a target amount?
What were the savings spent on between 2019 and 2024?
What is the plan to rebuild them, and by when?
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 Penetanguishene?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$686,304extra a year the Town would need by 2037 to maintain the assets in its development charge program (worked out by us from $293,383 and $392,921)
New roads, pipes and buildings paid for by development charges still cost money to keep up and replace. The Town's development charge study says that by 2034 the Town will need to find an additional $293,383 a year for general services, and by 2037 an additional $392,921 a year for engineered services (roads, water, sewer and stormwater), to properly fund the full life cycle of those new assets. Together that is $686,304 a year (worked out by us). The study says this comes from the Town; development charges do not cover it.
Why it matters
Growth does not only add fees. It adds buildings and pipes the Town must look after for decades. Residents can ask whether the budget plans for these yearly costs ahead of time.
It could be because…
The study is required by law to show this cost, and it is a forecast, not a decision to raise taxes.
New homes and businesses also add to the tax and rate base, which pays part of this cost.
The amounts depend on the projects being built, and the study says the program may change.
Questions you could ask
Does the Town's budget or long-term plan set aside money for these yearly upkeep costs as the new assets are built?
How will the Town split the cost between property taxes and water and sewer rates?
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 Penetanguishene?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"By 2034, for General Services, the Town will need to fund an additional $293,383 per annum for Town-wide services to properly fund the full life cycle costs of the new assets supported under the 2024 Development Charges By-law." "By 2037, for Engineered Services, the Town will need to fund an additional $392,921 per annum for Town-wide services to properly fund the full life cycle costs of the new assets supported under the 2024 Development Charges By-law."
5recommendations made by the Ombudsman to Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny in October 2023
In October 2023 the Ombudsman of Ontario, who is the Town's closed meeting investigator, reported on a complaint about an April 19, 2022 presentation by the Huronia Airport Task Force to the councils of Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny. He found the three councils "contravened these rules" by not giving updated public notice of how to watch the virtual meeting, and "failed to record minutes". The report says the Town of Penetanguishene led the arrangements and livestreamed the meeting on its YouTube channel, but the notice did not include that link. The Ombudsman made five recommendations to the three municipalities. The report notes he received full co-operation.
Why it matters
Open meeting rules are how residents can see how decisions are shaped. An official finding against the Town is a reason to ask whether the Town changed its practices.
It could be because…
The report says the television network told staff on the day that it would not broadcast, and the meeting was livestreamed and recorded.
The public notice said no municipal business would be advanced, and the meeting was a presentation.
The Ombudsman noted full co-operation, and the Town links his report on its own website.
The issue was a notice and minutes problem, not a closed session.
Questions you could ask
Did Council receive the Ombudsman's report in public, and what did it decide about the five recommendations?
Has the Town changed how it gives notice of virtual meetings and takes minutes of committee meetings?
Has the Town trained members of its committees and boards on the open meeting rules, as recommended?
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 Penetanguishene?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"My investigation determined that the Town of Midland, Town of Penetanguishene, and Township of Tiny contravened the open meeting rules on April 19, 2022, by failing to ensure that the public notice for the Huronia Airport Task Force's meeting provided up-to-date information about how the public could access the virtual meeting. My investigation also found that the three municipalities failed to record meeting minutes."
"The Town of Penetanguishene also planned to livestream the Task Force's presentation on its municipal YouTube page. However, the link to the YouTube livestream was not included in the public notice." Recommendation 3: "The Town of Midland, the Town of Penetanguishene, and the Township of Tiny should ensure that complete and accurate records are kept of all meetings, including committee meetings."
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