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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Perry'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 · 9 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Perry's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 11 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.
$132,868.50plus HST in five rink change orders with printed amounts (worked out by us from five sets of minutes)
In June 2025 council said the Township's share would be $2,247,450, with a $2,000,000 grant, and that the Township would cover any overruns. In October 2025 it awarded the building contract at $4,175,463.00 including HST. Since then council has approved several change orders, each added to the contract on top of the price. The five whose dollar amounts the minutes print come to $132,868.50 plus HST, a total worked out by us.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 8 sources
$1,536,132owed in long-term debt at the end of 2025, before most of the rink borrowing
At the end of 2025 the Township owed $1,536,132 in long-term debt, up from $1,327,073. Its 2025 budget assumed an increase in long-term debt of $4,194,606. Only $340,000 of new borrowing was drawn in 2025, because little of the rink was built by year end. The 2026 payments printed in the notes cover only debt already borrowed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$5,500,000outstanding claim named in the 2024 audited statements, not named in 2025
The audited statements for 2024 said the Township had "one outstanding claim in the amount of $5,500,000" and that its outcome was not yet determinable. The 2025 statements no longer give an amount. They say the Township believes its insurance coverage is adequate and no material exposure exists.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$188,163general operating surplus left at the end of 2025, down from $552,470
The adopted 2025 budget planned to use all of the general operating surplus carried in: a decrease of $552,470. In the end the general operating surplus fell by $364,307, from $552,470 to $188,163. On paper the Township reported an annual surplus of $748,196 against a budgeted deficit of $92,107. The town's own note explains the budget is restated for accounting, so the paper deficit is not a real shortfall, but the cushion left is small.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,452,904protection to persons and property in 2025, up from $1,181,379
Protection to persons and property (fire, building and by-law services together) cost $1,452,904 in 2025 against $1,181,379 in 2024, a rise of $271,525 or about 23%, worked out by us. It was still under the restated 2025 budget of $1,479,139. The fire reserve fell by $108,348 over the year.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$4,200,628property taxes in 2025, up from $3,934,802 in 2024
Property taxes were $4,200,628 in 2025 against $3,934,802 in 2024, a rise of about 7%, worked out by us. Council's own minutes explain part of it: staff said the proposed residential tax increase was 3.4%, and council told staff to round it up to 4% to put money aside for the rink.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$646,262estimated landfill closure and monitoring cost at the end of 2025, up from $535,526
The Township's estimate of what it will cost to close and monitor its two landfill sites rose from $535,526 to $646,262 in 2025. The joint landfill it shares with Kearney held closure reserves of $177,173, down from $293,530. The town's own note says the reserves are there to fund the liability.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
Ontario's Municipal Act requires a yearly statement of what each member of council was paid and reimbursed. We did not find one on the Mayor & Council, Finance, By-laws or Policies pages. The minutes show council passed a by-law in 2026 to set pay rates for members of council and committees.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$132,868.50plus HST in five rink change orders with printed amounts (worked out by us from five sets of minutes)
In June 2025 council said the Township's share would be $2,247,450, with a $2,000,000 grant, and that the Township would cover any overruns. In October 2025 it awarded the building contract at $4,175,463.00 including HST. Since then council has approved several change orders, each added to the contract on top of the price. The five whose dollar amounts the minutes print come to $132,868.50 plus HST, a total worked out by us.
Why it matters
The Township borrows to pay its share and has promised to cover overruns, so every added dollar falls on local taxpayers. Change orders are normal on big builds, but the running total is not published in one place.
It could be because…
Change orders are normal on a large building, and several here are small (for example $4,059.00 for a gas detector and light fixtures).
Tariffs on steel buildings were named as the reason for one of the larger orders, and they were outside the Township's control.
Some of the extra work may be for items the community asked for, such as fencing.
The contract figure in the audited notes and the award figure in the minutes may differ because of how HST is counted.
Questions you could ask
What is the current total cost of the rink, counting every change order, and how much of it falls on the Township after the grant?
Why is the contract price in the audited notes ($3,952,187) different from the award figure in the minutes ($4,175,463.00 including HST)?
Will council publish a running list of change orders, with amounts, for this project?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Council committed to "cover our contribution towards the project in the amount of $2,247,450" from debt financing, applied to NOHFC for "$2,000,000", and said "the Township will cover any project cost overruns should they occur."
Council accepted the proposal from Greystone Project Management Inc. for the covered rink in Novar (Tender 2025-011) for "the total Tender Cost of $4,175,463.00, including HST."
$1,536,132owed in long-term debt at the end of 2025, before most of the rink borrowing
At the end of 2025 the Township owed $1,536,132 in long-term debt, up from $1,327,073. Its 2025 budget assumed an increase in long-term debt of $4,194,606. Only $340,000 of new borrowing was drawn in 2025, because little of the rink was built by year end. The 2026 payments printed in the notes cover only debt already borrowed.
Why it matters
Debt payments come out of the same tax levy that pays for roads, fire and everything else. The rink borrowing is still ahead, so the cost of carrying it is not yet in the numbers.
It could be because…
Borrowing from Infrastructure Ontario is usually done once the work is mostly built, so the timing is normal.
The $2,000,000 grant, if paid in full, reduces how much needs to be borrowed.
The Township has so far kept its debt payments modest compared with the tax levy.
Questions you could ask
How much will the Township borrow for the rink, at what rate and over how many years, and what will the yearly payment be?
What share of the 2027 tax levy will go to debt payments once the rink borrowing is in place?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Long-term debt was $1,536,132 in 2025 and $1,327,073 in 2024. Proceeds from long-term debt in the cash flow statement were 340,000.
The reconciliation of the adopted 2025 budget to the reported budget shows "Increase in long-term debt (4,194,606)" and "Acquisition of tangible capital assets 5,410,960".
Council committed to cover "our contribution towards the project in the amount of $2,247,450, which will come from secured debt financing through Infrastructure Ontario."
$5,500,000outstanding claim named in the 2024 audited statements, not named in 2025
The audited statements for 2024 said the Township had "one outstanding claim in the amount of $5,500,000" and that its outcome was not yet determinable. The 2025 statements no longer give an amount. They say the Township believes its insurance coverage is adequate and no material exposure exists.
Why it matters
A claim this size is far bigger than the Township's yearly property tax revenue of $4,200,628. Residents cannot tell from the public documents whether it ended, and at what cost.
It could be because…
The claim may have been dismissed, withdrawn or settled within insurance cover.
The auditors may have worded the 2025 note more generally even though the same claim is still open.
The Township may be unable to say more while any matter is before a court.
Questions you could ask
Is the claim named in the 2024 statements still open, settled or dismissed?
If it was settled or dismissed, did the Township or its insurer pay anything?
Why was the amount dropped from the 2025 note?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"With respect to the one outstanding claim in the amount of $5,500,000, the likelihood and extent of loss, if any, is not yet determinable. Therefore, no provision has been made in the accompanying financial statements."
"With respect to outstanding claims, the Municipality believes insurance coverage is adequate and that no material exposure exists on the eventual settlement of the claim."
$188,163general operating surplus left at the end of 2025, down from $552,470
The adopted 2025 budget planned to use all of the general operating surplus carried in: a decrease of $552,470. In the end the general operating surplus fell by $364,307, from $552,470 to $188,163. On paper the Township reported an annual surplus of $748,196 against a budgeted deficit of $92,107. The town's own note explains the budget is restated for accounting, so the paper deficit is not a real shortfall, but the cushion left is small.
Why it matters
The general operating surplus is the Township's flexible cushion for the unexpected. It fell by about two thirds in one year, so a bad year for costs or revenue leaves less room.
It could be because…
Using surplus to hold down taxes is a planned and common choice.
The Township also added $206,574 to its reserves in 2025 (worked out from the statements as printed), so money was moved to savings.
Budgets assume grants arrive only when confirmed, so actual results often beat the budget.
Questions you could ask
How much operating surplus does the 2026 budget plan to use, and what will be left?
What is the Township's policy on the minimum cushion it keeps?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The adopted budget reconciliation lists "Decrease in general municipal operating surplus $ (552,470)" and says the budget was "restated to conform with the accounting and reporting standards", with amortization and accretion adjusted to actual.
General operating surplus, Municipality: beginning of year 552,470, annual change (364,307), end of year 188,163. Working capital reserve: 436,837 to 450,337.
Perry spent about $186 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $85. Only 1 of 11 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 makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Council per home: Perry $186; typical similar town $85; ranked 2nd highest of 12.
$1,452,904protection to persons and property in 2025, up from $1,181,379
Protection to persons and property (fire, building and by-law services together) cost $1,452,904 in 2025 against $1,181,379 in 2024, a rise of $271,525 or about 23%, worked out by us. It was still under the restated 2025 budget of $1,479,139. The fire reserve fell by $108,348 over the year.
Why it matters
This is the Township's second largest spending group. A rise of this size in one year raises the cost of the service going forward, and the fire reserve is lower for the next big purchase.
It could be because…
Part of the rise is amortization (the yearly wear on assets), which went up from $121,076 to $153,863 as the Township bought equipment.
Provincial grants to this group rose from $19,956 to $100,939, and other revenue from $73,425 to $157,727, so part of the cost was offset.
A fire burn building was contracted in 2024, with the balance due in 2025, which can raise running costs.
Questions you could ask
What caused the rise in 2025 protection costs, apart from amortization?
How will the fire reserve be rebuilt before the next large purchase?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Protection to persons and property: budget 2025 1,479,139, actual 2025 1,452,904.
Protection to persons and property: Ontario transfers 100,939 and Other revenue 157,727 in 2025; Amortization 153,863; Contracted services 567,368; total expenses 1,452,904.
$4,200,628property taxes in 2025, up from $3,934,802 in 2024
Property taxes were $4,200,628 in 2025 against $3,934,802 in 2024, a rise of about 7%, worked out by us. Council's own minutes explain part of it: staff said the proposed residential tax increase was 3.4%, and council told staff to round it up to 4% to put money aside for the rink.
Why it matters
Residents pay this, and the rise is larger than the 4% council set because other factors such as new buildings also change the total.
It could be because…
Council chose a higher rise on purpose to build the Township's rink reserve.
New homes and buildings add to the tax base without changing the rate.
Supplementary taxes can vary from year to year.
Questions you could ask
How much of the 2025 rise came from the rate, and how much from growth in the tax base?
How much was put into the rink reserve from the extra 0.6%?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Property taxes: budget 2025 $4,184,944, actual 2025 $4,200,628, actual 2024 $3,934,802.
The Treasurer noted "a residential tax increase of 3.4%." Council "directed staff to round tax increase to 4% for reserves for the proposed Novar Outdoor Rink Facility."
$646,262estimated landfill closure and monitoring cost at the end of 2025, up from $535,526
The Township's estimate of what it will cost to close and monitor its two landfill sites rose from $535,526 to $646,262 in 2025. The joint landfill it shares with Kearney held closure reserves of $177,173, down from $293,530. The town's own note says the reserves are there to fund the liability.
Why it matters
Landfill costs come due on a fixed schedule whether or not money is set aside. A growing estimate with a shrinking reserve can mean a larger share must come from future taxes.
It could be because…
The estimate rose because of changes in inflation and discount rates, which are outside the Township's control.
The reserve fell because spending on closure work was already done, as the note shows a decrease in liability due to settlement.
The note says the shared site has about 51 years of capacity left, so most costs are far off.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan to fund the rising landfill closure estimate?
Why did the shared landfill's closure reserve fall by that much in one 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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Balance, beginning of year $ 535,526; increase from changes in estimated cash flows, inflation and discount rate 187,882; decrease due to settlement (100,207); balance, end of year $ 646,262. Post-closure care at the Township's own site is "estimated to be required until 2029 (2024 - 2027)". "The Committee has closure reserves of $177,173 (2024 $293,530) to fund this liability."
Ontario's Municipal Act requires a yearly statement of what each member of council was paid and reimbursed. We did not find one on the Mayor & Council, Finance, By-laws or Policies pages. The minutes show council passed a by-law in 2026 to set pay rates for members of council and committees.
Why it matters
Residents can only check what council members are paid if the statement is easy to find.
It could be because…
The statement may be posted somewhere we did not look, or given on request.
The Township may publish it later in the year.
Questions you could ask
Where are the yearly statements of council pay and expenses posted?
Can the Township post them next to the council list?
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 Perry?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Council gave By-law 2026-37 "Being a By-Law to establish rates of remuneration and compensation for the Members of Council and the Members of any local Committee of the municipality" first, second and third readings.
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