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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Prescott'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 · 10 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Prescott's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 23 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.
$10,820,510borrowed on a temporary construction loan at December 31, 2024, unchanged from a year earlier
A construction loan is short-term borrowing that covers building costs until grants, gifts or long-term debt arrive. At December 31, 2024 the Town had used $10,820,510 of a $15,000,000 facility to build a recreation complex, the same amount as a year earlier. The statements say how it will be repaid has not been set. They also list $6,730,244 for the new arena as "unfinanced", meaning spent but not yet paid for by a grant, gift or long-term loan. All unfinanced projects together came to $12,664,868, up from $9,573,500.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
December 15, 2025date the 2024 audited statements went to Council
The audited statements are the Town's official yearly accounts. The 2023 statements were put to Council on May 20, 2025 and the 2024 statements on December 15, 2025. The Town's slide says the 2024 statements were due to the Ministry by December 31, 2025 under an extension given to all municipalities, and that about one third of municipalities were working toward that date. As of October 7, 2026 the Town's budget page lists statements only for 2020, 2021 and 2022, and budget material only to 2024. We did not find the 2025 or 2026 budget there. We also found no council agendas for 2026 on the agendas page.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$(247,690)balance of the fiscal policy reserve at December 31, 2024
A reserve is money set aside for a purpose. Note 11 shows the "Fiscal policy" reserve at (247,690), a negative balance, compared with 202,010 a year earlier. The "Planning and development" reserve fell from 211,610 to 13,114. The Town explains the second: community improvement grants of $245k were paid from a reserve for them. We found no Town explanation for the first. Total reserves were $6,412,922, of which $5,071,745 (about 79 percent, worked out by us) is the water and sewer reserve.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,184,346cash and short-term deposits at December 31, 2024, down from $3,163,849
At the end of 2024 cash and short-term deposits were $1,184,346, down from $3,163,849. Taxes owing to the Town rose to $864,466. In October 2025 staff wrote that unpaid taxes were higher than in prior years, pushing interest on them $20,000 over budget, and that a $2.0 million grant received in November and a fire truck loan on December 15, 2025 would ease "the pressure that has been on the cash balance for most of this year".
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Prescott spent $1.4M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 23 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
At the end of 2024, $864K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 11% of everything billed. Only 4 of 23 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $778K.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
At the end of 2024, Prescott owed $10.8M on temporary loans. That is like putting 61% of a year's income on a line of credit. This is short-term borrowing for building projects, which is normal while waiting for a grant or a long-term loan. But it was already $10.8M a year earlier, so it has lasted more than a year. Only 2 of 23 similar towns had any temporary loans at the end of 2024.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$622,900lowest of three bids, against $4,469,444 and $4,997,600
The Town asked for bids to demolish its old elevated water tank. Three companies bid: $622,900, $4,469,444 and $4,997,600. The Town and its engineer say the lowest bid was complete and give four reasons it could be much lower: a different method that needs less labour, water misting instead of scaffolding and tarps, more experience with tall concrete structures, and a Cornwall base. The bid was still $122,900 above the $500,000 set aside in the 2025 budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
15 dayspay suspension the Integrity Commissioner recommended in May 2024
The Integrity Commissioner is an outside lawyer who applies the Town's Code of Conduct. In a public report dated May 29, 2024, the Commissioner investigated complaints against Councillor Lee McConnell and found that he breached sections 3.0 and 8.0 of the Code. The Commissioner called the section 3.0 breaches minor and the section 8.0 breaches more serious, and recommended that his pay be suspended for 15 days and that he be removed from the Heritage Committee. We did not find in the documents we read what Council decided. The Commissioner's 2025 annual report says no complaints were submitted in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
March 31yearly deadline in the Municipal Act for the pay and expenses statement
The Municipal Act says the treasurer must give Council, by March 31 each year, a list of what each member was paid the year before. The Town's pay page quotes that law and links the pay by-law, but not a yearly statement. We found the 2024 statement only inside the March 17, 2025 council agenda. We found no 2025 statement in the documents posted. We have not copied any pay figures into this pack.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$10,820,510borrowed on a temporary construction loan at December 31, 2024, unchanged from a year earlier
A construction loan is short-term borrowing that covers building costs until grants, gifts or long-term debt arrive. At December 31, 2024 the Town had used $10,820,510 of a $15,000,000 facility to build a recreation complex, the same amount as a year earlier. The statements say how it will be repaid has not been set. They also list $6,730,244 for the new arena as "unfinanced", meaning spent but not yet paid for by a grant, gift or long-term loan. All unfinanced projects together came to $12,664,868, up from $9,573,500.
Why it matters
A temporary loan usually has a floating interest rate. The longer it stays open, the more interest the Town may pay, and the final cost lands on taxpayers or water and sewer users. Residents can only judge the arena's real price once the plan to pay for it is known.
It could be because…
Using a construction loan while waiting for grants is normal. The Town's own slide says it was used to cover cash for the new arena and water tower "while waiting for funding to be received".
Part of the arena cost may be covered by donations and grants that have been promised but not yet received. The slides show money owed to the Town by the Province.
For the water tower, the Town says an agreement with Augusta Township will pay the long-term debt part, so no long-term loan is needed.
Questions you could ask
How much interest did the Town pay on the construction loan in 2024 and 2025?
When will the loan be replaced by a long-term loan, and for how much?
How much of the $6,730,244 for the new arena does the Town expect from donations and grants, and how much from taxes or debt?
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 9, Temporary borrowings: construction loans through the Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation "to finance the construction of a recreation complex to a maximum value of $15,000,000". Interest is a "floating rate" and "Repayment terms of principal and interest will be determined upon completion of the capital project." "At December 31, 2024, $10,820,510 (2023 - $10,820,509) of the facility was used."
Staff slide on the balance sheet: "Temporary Borrowing - Construction Loan $10,820,510" and "Used to cashflow the new arena and water tower while waiting for funding to be received".
Report on the water tower demolition: the Draft Water and Wastewater Agreement with Augusta Township "will fund the original entire long-term debt portion of the Water Tower Project avoiding the requirement to enter a long-term loan".
December 15, 2025date the 2024 audited statements went to Council
The audited statements are the Town's official yearly accounts. The 2023 statements were put to Council on May 20, 2025 and the 2024 statements on December 15, 2025. The Town's slide says the 2024 statements were due to the Ministry by December 31, 2025 under an extension given to all municipalities, and that about one third of municipalities were working toward that date. As of October 7, 2026 the Town's budget page lists statements only for 2020, 2021 and 2022, and budget material only to 2024. We did not find the 2025 or 2026 budget there. We also found no council agendas for 2026 on the agendas page.
Why it matters
Residents vote on October 26, 2026. Recent accounts and budgets are what they would use to judge the past four years. If they are only in long agenda packages, few people will find them.
It could be because…
The Town says the Ministry of Finance extended the deadline for all municipalities, so this was not unique to Prescott.
The statements and budgets may be posted somewhere we did not look, or the page may simply not have been updated.
The Town says it expects the 2025 statements "within historical timelines", so the delay may be over.
Questions you could ask
Where can residents find the 2023, 2024 and 2025 audited statements and the 2025 and 2026 budgets on the Town's website?
When did the auditor sign the 2024 opinion, and were the 2025 statements finished by June 30, 2026?
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Staff slide, Note on timing: "The 2024 Statements are now complete and are due to the Ministry by December 31, 2025"; "This is in compliance with an extension provided by the Ministry of Finance to all municipalities"; "There are currently approximately one third of municipalities working towards this deadline"; "We are expecting the 2025 statements to be completed within historical timelines".
Agenda item 4.2, 2024 Financial Audit, meeting of December 15, 2025: recommendation "THAT the Financial Statements for the Corporation of the Town of Prescott for the year ended December 31, 2024, be accepted as presented".
Agenda item 12.1, Staff Report 30-2025, 2023 Year End Report, meeting of May 20, 2025: recommendation "That Council accept the Financial Statements for the Corporation of the Town of Prescott for the year ended December 31, 2023, as presented".
Budget and Finance page, Financial Statements: "2020 Financial Statement", "2021 Financial Statement", "2022 Financial Statement". Budget sections run from "2022 Approved Budget" to "2024 Budget Presentations". No 2025 or 2026 budget is listed.
Report on the 2026 budget process under strong mayor rules: "January 26, 2026 - Council will receive and review the Draft 2026 Operational Budget - This will start a 30-day review period."
$(247,690)balance of the fiscal policy reserve at December 31, 2024
A reserve is money set aside for a purpose. Note 11 shows the "Fiscal policy" reserve at (247,690), a negative balance, compared with 202,010 a year earlier. The "Planning and development" reserve fell from 211,610 to 13,114. The Town explains the second: community improvement grants of $245k were paid from a reserve for them. We found no Town explanation for the first. Total reserves were $6,412,922, of which $5,071,745 (about 79 percent, worked out by us) is the water and sewer reserve.
Why it matters
A reserve below zero means the Town spent money it had not set aside, usually covering a cost until other money arrives. It is a small number next to the loan, but it shows how little room the Town has outside water and sewer.
It could be because…
A negative reserve can be a bookkeeping balance that is covered when a grant or sale arrives.
Water and sewer money is usually meant only for water and sewer work, so it may not be free to use elsewhere.
Part of the planning and development drop may be the $245k of grants the Town says came from its community improvement reserve.
Questions you could ask
Why is the fiscal policy reserve below zero, and when will it be topped up?
Which reserves can be used for general town costs, and how much is in 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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 11, Reserves set aside for specific purposes by Council: "Fiscal policy (247,690) 202,010"; "Planning and development 13,114 211,610"; "Water and sewer 5,071,745 4,216,590"; "Total reserves 6,412,922 6,296,624".
$1,184,346cash and short-term deposits at December 31, 2024, down from $3,163,849
At the end of 2024 cash and short-term deposits were $1,184,346, down from $3,163,849. Taxes owing to the Town rose to $864,466. In October 2025 staff wrote that unpaid taxes were higher than in prior years, pushing interest on them $20,000 over budget, and that a $2.0 million grant received in November and a fire truck loan on December 15, 2025 would ease "the pressure that has been on the cash balance for most of this year".
Why it matters
A town with little cash relies on grants arriving on time or on borrowing. It also shows residents are falling behind on bills, which is useful to know before voting.
It could be because…
Most of the fall came from building projects paid before grants arrived. Staff say the water tower grant was received in November 2025.
Staff say most of the rise in unpaid taxes was in bills one year past due, which may be a few accounts.
Cash can swing a lot during the year, so a year-end figure may not show the usual level.
Questions you could ask
What were cash and unpaid property taxes at December 31, 2025?
Did the Town borrow short-term, beyond the construction loan, to cover cash during 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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position: "Cash and short-term deposits $ 1,184,346 $ 3,163,849"; "Taxes receivable 864,466 778,498".
Financial Report, October 2025: "Property taxes outstanding are higher than in prior years, which has resulted in interest on outstanding property taxes being $20,000 higher than budget at the end of October." "The Water Tower Grant for $2.0 million was received in November and the Fire Truck debenture will be issued on December 15, 2025, thereby alleviating the pressure that has been on the cash balance for most of this year."
Prescott spent $1.4M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $2.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 23 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of parks, arena and library grow 62% in 5 years?
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%
+62%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+7%
+1%
2021
+16%
+4%
2022
+31%
+11%
2023
+43%
+16%
2024
+62%
+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
What did the extra $866K a year pay for?
Why did arena and buildings go from $47,680 to $838K?
Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly budget?
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
At the end of 2024, $864K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 11% of everything billed. Only 4 of 23 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $778K.
Why are so many property taxes unpaid?
$0$200K$400K$600K$800K$1.0M
$864K
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Unpaid property tax at year end
2019
$789K
2020
$684K
2021
$566K
2022
$620K
2023
$778K
2024
$864K
Why it matters
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
It could be because…
The final tax bill was due late in the year, so some payments simply arrived in January.
A few large properties are in dispute or being sold for back taxes.
Hard times for residents, which the town may be handling with payment plans.
Questions you could ask
How much is more than one year overdue, and from how many properties?
Are the rules for chasing unpaid taxes applied the same way to everyone?
Has the town registered tax arrears certificates on properties about two years behind? If still unpaid a year after that, Ontario law lets the town sell the property.
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Taxes receivable: 2019 $789K, 2020 $684K, 2021 $566K, 2022 $620K, 2023 $778K, 2024 $864K. Of the 2024 total, $449K was from earlier years.
At the end of 2024, Prescott owed $10.8M on temporary loans. That is like putting 61% of a year's income on a line of credit. This is short-term borrowing for building projects, which is normal while waiting for a grant or a long-term loan. But it was already $10.8M a year earlier, so it has lasted more than a year. Only 2 of 23 similar towns had any temporary loans at the end of 2024.
What is the $10.8M short-term loan for, and when will it be paid off?
$0$2.0M$4.0M$6.0M$8.0M$10M$12M
$10.8M
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Temporary loans
2019
$0
2020
$0
2021
$0
2022
$8.8M
2023
$10.8M
2024
$10.8M
Why it matters
Short-term loans usually cost more interest and can be called in. If they roll over year after year, the town is really carrying debt that does not show up as long-term debt.
It could be because…
The town is waiting for a promised grant to arrive for a finished project.
A long-term loan (debenture) for the project has been approved but not yet issued.
Questions you could ask
Which project is the loan for, and what is the interest rate?
When will it be repaid or turned into a long-term loan, and where does that money come from?
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$622,900lowest of three bids, against $4,469,444 and $4,997,600
The Town asked for bids to demolish its old elevated water tank. Three companies bid: $622,900, $4,469,444 and $4,997,600. The Town and its engineer say the lowest bid was complete and give four reasons it could be much lower: a different method that needs less labour, water misting instead of scaffolding and tarps, more experience with tall concrete structures, and a Cornwall base. The bid was still $122,900 above the $500,000 set aside in the 2025 budget.
Why it matters
A gap this large can mean one bidder misread the job, or that one found a cheaper way. The Town did check and explain it. Residents may still want to know what protects the Town if the low bidder runs into trouble.
It could be because…
The engineer says the low bidder's method uses machines instead of scaffolding, which cuts labour, and that its past projects cost about the same once construction price changes are counted.
The low bidder is based in Cornwall, much closer than the others, whose offices are in Mississauga and Watford.
The Town's report says leaving the tank standing is risky because a 2017 inspection recommended replacing it within five years.
Questions you could ask
What did the Town do to confirm the low bidder understood the whole job, and what security does the contract require?
Where will the extra $122,900 come from?
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Engineer's memo, official tender results: "1. Demolition Plus $622,900.00"; "2. Tri-Phase Group $4,469,444.00"; "3. Schouten Excavating $4,997,600.00". The memo says there is "a large difference" and lists four differences that give the low bidder "a competitive advantage".
Staff report: "The 2017 structural inspection report recommended the water tower be replaced within 5 years." The report adds that the tank is close to neighbouring homes.
15 dayspay suspension the Integrity Commissioner recommended in May 2024
The Integrity Commissioner is an outside lawyer who applies the Town's Code of Conduct. In a public report dated May 29, 2024, the Commissioner investigated complaints against Councillor Lee McConnell and found that he breached sections 3.0 and 8.0 of the Code. The Commissioner called the section 3.0 breaches minor and the section 8.0 breaches more serious, and recommended that his pay be suspended for 15 days and that he be removed from the Heritage Committee. We did not find in the documents we read what Council decided. The Commissioner's 2025 annual report says no complaints were submitted in 2025.
Why it matters
The Code of Conduct is how residents can hold council members to account. Knowing what happens after a report shows whether the process works.
It could be because…
Council decides what to do with a recommendation. It may have adopted, changed or declined it, and we did not find the minutes of that decision.
The report is a finding on public comments and on talking about closed-session matters, not on spending or personal gain.
The councillor may disagree with the finding; we did not find a response.
Questions you could ask
What did Council decide on the May 29, 2024 recommendations, and was the pay suspension carried out?
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Integrity Commissioner report: "The Complaint was made against Councillor Lee McConnell (the "Member") who is a Member of the Town of Prescott (the "Town") Council as well as a member of the Heritage Committee."
"We found that the Member breached various provisions of Sections 3.0 and 8.0 of the Code of Conduct." The report calls the section 3.0 breaches "minor in nature" and the section 8.0 breaches "more serious". It recommends "that the Member's remuneration be suspended for a period of 15 days" and "that the Member be removed from the Heritage Committee".
Annual report for 2025: "There were no complaints submitted to the Town of Prescott in 2025." Costs for advice were "$260.00" and for complaints "$0.00".
March 31yearly deadline in the Municipal Act for the pay and expenses statement
The Municipal Act says the treasurer must give Council, by March 31 each year, a list of what each member was paid the year before. The Town's pay page quotes that law and links the pay by-law, but not a yearly statement. We found the 2024 statement only inside the March 17, 2025 council agenda. We found no 2025 statement in the documents posted. We have not copied any pay figures into this pack.
Why it matters
The law makes these statements public records. A separate page for them would let residents check pay and expenses without reading a 79-page agenda.
It could be because…
The statement may be posted on a page we did not find.
Putting it in a council agenda meets the law's requirement to give it to Council.
The 2025 statement, due March 31, 2026, may be in a 2026 agenda that is not on the posted list.
Questions you could ask
Will the Town post each year's pay and expenses statement on its council pay page?
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 Prescott?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of Remuneration and Expenses page: quotes section 284 of the Municipal Act and says "Council remuneration was authorized by By-Law #40-2016". The only linked document is "By-Law 29-2023 - Council Remuneration".
Agenda item 12.7, Staff Report 19-2025, Statement of Remuneration and Expenses, attachment "Statement of Remuneration and Expenses Council Members 2024".
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