Questions · 13 so far
We read Puslinch's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 45 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+77%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Puslinch spent $387K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $687K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 3 of 45 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$423per home on council, 2025
Puslinch spent about $423 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $50. None of the 45 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$255,8382025 licence and permit income below budget (worked out by us: $768,476 less $512,638)
The Township budgets for fees from licences and permits, mostly building permits. In 2024 it took in $473,416 against a budget of $744,374. In 2025 it took in $512,638 against a budget of $768,476. Its own 2025 audit note says building permit demand is uncertain.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$3,254,5162025 capital budget not spent, as the Township's report prints it
Capital means roads, buildings and equipment that last many years. The Township's own report compares a 2025 capital budget of $5,705,637 with $2,451,121 spent. It says $2,728,946 is capital carry-forward, meaning projects that moved to a later year. Three projects make up $2,088,342 of that (worked out by us), and a second report from the same day gives a much smaller carry-forward figure.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$148,944administration legal fees in the 2025 year-to-date column, against a 2025 budget of $68,500
In the adopted 2026 budget schedule, administration legal fees were $170,404 in 2024 and $148,944 in the 2025 year-to-date column, against a 2025 budget of $68,500. By-law legal fees were $199,040 and $119,606 against $109,500. The legal contingency reserve balance printed in the Township's reports fell from $257.2K to $158K between February 2025 and February 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$162,8352025 penalties and interest above budget (worked out by us: $428,812 less $265,977)
The audited statements show penalties and interest on taxation of $428,812 in 2025 against a budget of $265,977. In 2024 it was $353,973 against a budget of $230,000. That is 61% above budget in 2025 (worked out by us). The Township's own proposed 2026 budget report raised its budget for interest on tax arrears by $80.1K "based on actuals".
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$2,210,391projected Asset Management reserve in 2030, against a minimum target of $2.433 million
The Township saves for replacing assets in its Asset Management reserve, which held $5,328,176 at the end of 2025. Its own projection puts that reserve at $2,210,391 in 2030 and $2,253,253 in 2031, below the $2.433 million minimum target it set in 2025. The report says larger contributions are needed to close the funding gap in its asset plan.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
2025listed on the council pay page without a link, on October 5, 2026
The Municipal Act requires the treasurer to give council a yearly statement of what each member was paid. The Township's page lists 2025 with no link, while 2024, 2023 and 2022 link to reports. The 2024 report says the statement is due on or before March 31st.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+56%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Puslinch spent $1.4M on running the town office in 2019 and $2.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 7 of 45 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+55%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Puslinch spent $1.7M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $2.6M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
13completed budget surveys for the 2026 budget (15 the year before)
The Township's online budget survey had 13 completed surveys and 82 visits to its page, against 15 completed surveys and 75 visits the year before. The adopted 2026 budget has a $7,237,887 capital budget and an operating levy of $4,423,016.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$147,196total paid to the five members of council in 2024, up from $137,593 in 2023
The Township's statements show total pay, benefits and expenses for council of $137,593 for 2023 and $147,196 for 2024, a rise of about 7.0% (worked out by us). Pay itself was $109,748 and then $114,519.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$259per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Puslinch spent about $259 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $141. Only 6 of 45 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
+77%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Puslinch spent $387K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $687K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 3 of 45 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −20% | +1% |
| 2021 | −16% | +4% |
| 2022 | +13% | +11% |
| 2023 | +51% | +16% |
| 2024 | +82% | +18% |
| 2025 | +77% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $387K, 2020 $308K, 2021 $327K, 2022 $436K, 2023 $583K, 2024 $703K, 2025 $687K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Parks, from $111K to $279K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 60%. Puslinch ranks 4th of 46.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 45 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$423per home on council, 2025
Puslinch spent about $423 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $50. None of the 45 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Council per home: Puslinch $423; typical similar town $50; ranked 1st highest of 46.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 45 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$255,8382025 licence and permit income below budget (worked out by us: $768,476 less $512,638)
The Township budgets for fees from licences and permits, mostly building permits. In 2024 it took in $473,416 against a budget of $744,374. In 2025 it took in $512,638 against a budget of $768,476. Its own 2025 audit note says building permit demand is uncertain.
When expected fees do not arrive, the gap is filled from somewhere else: other income, reserves or property taxes. A budget that is too hopeful two years in a row makes the tax bill harder to 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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 10, Other income: Licenses and permits, 2025 budget $768,476, 2025 actual $512,638, 2024 actual $473,416.
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 10, Other income, PDF page 15
Note 10, Other income: Licenses and permits, 2024 budget $744,374, 2024 actual $473,416, 2023 actual $974,526.
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · Note 10, Other income, PDF page 14
Operating schedule, Building: Residential Building Permits, 2024 actuals -$302,914, 2025 year to date -$336,654, 2025 budget -$420,240, 2026 budget -$420,240 (revenues are printed as negatives). The adopted 2026 budget keeps the same figure for 2026 as for 2025.
BL2026-004, 2026 Budget By-law, Schedule A · Schedule A, Building, revenues, PDF page 6
Note 16, Material uncertainty related to tariffs: the Township says tariffs create uncertainty around "future demand for the municipality's services (e.g. building permits)".
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 16, PDF page 17
$3,254,5162025 capital budget not spent, as the Township's report prints it
Capital means roads, buildings and equipment that last many years. The Township's own report compares a 2025 capital budget of $5,705,637 with $2,451,121 spent. It says $2,728,946 is capital carry-forward, meaning projects that moved to a later year. Three projects make up $2,088,342 of that (worked out by us), and a second report from the same day gives a much smaller carry-forward figure.
Money set aside for projects that do not happen on schedule stays in reserves, and the projects cost more later if prices rise. Residents also pay a yearly capital levy for work that may not be done when promised.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule A, 2025 Total Capital Expenditures: Grand Total, budget $5,705,637, actual $2,451,121, difference $3,254,516; $2,728,946 Total capital carryforward projects; $525,570 Total project surpluses.
Report FIN-2026-004, 2025 Completed Capital Projects · Schedule A, last page, PDF page 6
Schedule A lists these as "Capital carryforward" with nothing spent in 2025: Pump 31 Truck, budget $888,342, actual $0; Kerr Crescent - Stormwater Management Facility, budget $600,000, actual $0; Municipal Administration and Operations Facility, budget $600,000, actual $0.
Report FIN-2026-004, 2025 Completed Capital Projects · Schedule A, Fire and Rescue, Public Works and Municipal Office rows, PDF pages 5 and 6
Statement of Changes in Net Financial Assets: acquisition of tangible capital assets, 2025 budget (4,866,745), 2025 actual (2,202,062), 2024 actual (2,158,758). This statement uses the audit's own basis, so it differs from the project report above.
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Statement of Changes in Net Financial Assets, PDF page 7
Table 1, Capital Carry-Forward Balance Reconciliation as at December 31, 2025: Total Capital Carry-Forward Balance $465,362, including Municipal Administration and Operations Facility $268,000. The report defines carry-forward projects as those "funded through the tax levy or grant funding".
Report FIN-2026-005, Projected Balances in Discretionary and Restricted Reserves · Table 1, PDF page 2
$148,944administration legal fees in the 2025 year-to-date column, against a 2025 budget of $68,500
In the adopted 2026 budget schedule, administration legal fees were $170,404 in 2024 and $148,944 in the 2025 year-to-date column, against a 2025 budget of $68,500. By-law legal fees were $199,040 and $119,606 against $109,500. The legal contingency reserve balance printed in the Township's reports fell from $257.2K to $158K between February 2025 and February 2026.
Legal fees are paid from the tax levy and reserves. If they keep running above budget, the plan for the year is not a good guide to what residents are paying.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule A, Administration: Professional Fees - Legal, 2024 Actuals $170,404, 2025 Year to Date $148,944, 2025 Budget $68,500, 2026 Budget $60,000.
BL2026-004, 2026 Budget By-law, Schedule A · Schedule A, Administration, expenditures, PDF page 3
Schedule A, By-law: Professional Fees - Legal, 2024 Actuals $199,040, 2025 Year to Date $119,606, 2025 Budget $109,500, 2026 Budget $53,000.
BL2026-004, 2026 Budget By-law, Schedule A · Schedule A, By-law, expenditures, PDF page 7
Table 4, discretionary reserves: Legal Contingency, "Current balance is $158K."
Report FIN-2026-007, 2026 Budget - Final · Table 4, PDF page 5
Discretionary reserves table: Legal Contingency, "The current balance in the reserve is $257.2K."
Report FIN-2025-008, 2025 Budget - Final · Discretionary reserves table, PDF page 5
The Township explains a new clearing account for third-party recoveries related to engineering and legal fees: "a decrease of $150K in recoveries and a corresponding decrease of $151.7K in legal and engineering expenditures".
Report FIN-2025-029, 2026 Proposed Operating Budget · Table 2c discussion, PDF page 4
$162,8352025 penalties and interest above budget (worked out by us: $428,812 less $265,977)
The audited statements show penalties and interest on taxation of $428,812 in 2025 against a budget of $265,977. In 2024 it was $353,973 against a budget of $230,000. That is 61% above budget in 2025 (worked out by us). The Township's own proposed 2026 budget report raised its budget for interest on tax arrears by $80.1K "based on actuals".
This income comes from households and businesses that pay their tax bills late. A rising amount can mean more late payers, or a few large unpaid accounts, and it is a source of income the Township cannot count on.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 10, Other income: Penalties and interest on taxation, 2025 budget $265,977, 2025 actual $428,812, 2024 actual $353,973.
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 10, Other income, PDF page 15
Note 10, Other income: Penalties and interest on taxation, 2024 budget $230,000, 2024 actual $353,973, 2023 actual $259,623.
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · Note 10, Other income, PDF page 14
Statement of Financial Position: Taxes receivable $3,413,478 at December 31, 2025 and $3,946,188 at December 31, 2024.
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 5
Schedule A, Corporate revenues: Interest - Tax Arrears, 2024 Actuals -$297,750, 2025 Year to Date -$365,247, 2025 Budget -$210,373, 2026 Budget -$290,500 (revenues are printed as negatives).
BL2026-004, 2026 Budget By-law, Schedule A · Schedule A, Corporate, revenues, PDF page 9
The Township lists "Interest on tax arrears ($80.1K)" among corporate recoveries increased "based on actuals" in the proposed 2026 operating budget.
Report FIN-2025-029, 2026 Proposed Operating Budget · Summary of budget changes, PDF page 3
$2,210,391projected Asset Management reserve in 2030, against a minimum target of $2.433 million
The Township saves for replacing assets in its Asset Management reserve, which held $5,328,176 at the end of 2025. Its own projection puts that reserve at $2,210,391 in 2030 and $2,253,253 in 2031, below the $2.433 million minimum target it set in 2025. The report says larger contributions are needed to close the funding gap in its asset plan.
Roads, bridges and buildings wear out on a schedule. If the savings do not keep up, the choices later are higher taxes, borrowing or letting things decline.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule 2, Schedule of Accumulated Surplus, Reserves: Asset management $5,328,176 in 2025 and $4,846,336 in 2024.
Township of Puslinch, Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Schedule 2, PDF page 19
Table 3, projected balances for the AM Discretionary Reserve: 2030 $2,210,391; 2031 $2,253,253; 2027 $2,886,929. The report says the minimum target is $2.433 million and "The projected balances meet these targets from 2026 to 2029 and from 2032 to 2035."
Report FIN-2026-005, Projected Balances in Discretionary and Restricted Reserves · Table 3 and text below it, PDF page 4
The report says "increased contributions to the AM Discretionary Reserve are required to address the infrastructure funding gap identified in the AM Plan."
Report FIN-2026-005, Projected Balances in Discretionary and Restricted Reserves · Text above Table 3, PDF page 4
The adopted capital budget lists Asset Management Reserve Contribution $1,051,509.
BL2026-004, 2026 Budget By-law, Schedule B · Schedule B, capital budget, PDF page 31
2025listed on the council pay page without a link, on October 5, 2026
The Municipal Act requires the treasurer to give council a yearly statement of what each member was paid. The Township's page lists 2025 with no link, while 2024, 2023 and 2022 link to reports. The 2024 report says the statement is due on or before March 31st.
Council pay is public money and the statement is the one place it is added up. A missing statement just before an election makes it harder to compare pay across years.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The page lists previous annual remuneration and expense reports as 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022. On the day we read it, 2025 had no link and the other three did. The page also lists 2025 expenses month by month for each member.
Township of Puslinch, Council Remuneration and Expenses · Previous and current annual remuneration and expense reports
Section 284 (1) of The Municipal Act, 2001 requires the Treasurer to submit a statement to Council itemizing remuneration and expenses "in each year on or before March 31st". Report FIN-2025-011 has a meeting date of March 26, 2025.
Report FIN-2025-011, Remuneration and Expenses Paid to Members of Council and Others - 2024 · Report header and Purpose, PDF page 1
+56%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Puslinch spent $1.4M on running the town office in 2019 and $2.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 7 of 45 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −7% | +1% |
| 2021 | +8% | +4% |
| 2022 | +27% | +11% |
| 2023 | +35% | +16% |
| 2024 | +56% | +18% |
| 2025 | +56% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $1.4M, 2020 $1.3M, 2021 $1.5M, 2022 $1.8M, 2023 $1.9M, 2024 $2.2M, 2025 $2.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Council, from $661K to $1.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 45%. Puslinch ranks 8th of 46.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 45 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+55%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Puslinch spent $1.7M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $2.6M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −7% | +1% |
| 2021 | +2% | +4% |
| 2022 | +10% | +11% |
| 2023 | +22% | +16% |
| 2024 | +52% | +18% |
| 2025 | +55% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $1.7M, 2020 $1.6M, 2021 $1.7M, 2022 $1.8M, 2023 $2.0M, 2024 $2.6M, 2025 $2.6M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Fire department, from $908K to $1.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
13completed budget surveys for the 2026 budget (15 the year before)
The Township's online budget survey had 13 completed surveys and 82 visits to its page, against 15 completed surveys and 75 visits the year before. The adopted 2026 budget has a $7,237,887 capital budget and an operating levy of $4,423,016.
A budget is only as informed as the people who comment on it. Very few answers makes it hard for council to know what residents want.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"A total of 13 surveys were completed, with 82 visits to the engagement page as part of the 2026 Budget engagement process." The report says 2025 had 15 completed surveys and 75 visits. It lists other ways to take part: social media, a website banner, a newspaper advertisement, a public meeting on January 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., and a newsletter with the final tax bill.
Report FIN-2026-007, 2026 Budget - Final · Community Engagement Survey, PDF page 3, and Engagement Opportunities
By-law No. 2026-004 adopts total capital expenditures of $7,237,887 and an operating taxation levy of $4,423,016, passed February 11, 2026.
BL2026-004, 2026 Budget By-law · Clauses 3 and 4, PDF page 1
$147,196total paid to the five members of council in 2024, up from $137,593 in 2023
The Township's statements show total pay, benefits and expenses for council of $137,593 for 2023 and $147,196 for 2024, a rise of about 7.0% (worked out by us). Pay itself was $109,748 and then $114,519.
Council pay is set by council itself, so residents can reasonably ask how it is decided and how it moves.
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 Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule A, 2024: Totals, remuneration $114,519, benefits $29,031, sub-total remuneration $143,550, expenditures $3,646, grand total $147,196. The report says pay is authorised by By-law No. 058-2020, passed December 16, 2020.
Report FIN-2025-011, Remuneration and Expenses Paid to Members of Council and Others - 2024 · Schedule A, PDF page 4, and Background, PDF page 2
Schedule A, 2023: Totals, remuneration $109,748, benefits $25,844, sub-total remuneration $135,592, expenditures $2,001, grand total $137,593.
Report FIN-2024-007, Remuneration and Expenses Paid to Members of Council and Others - 2023 · Schedule A, PDF page 4
$259per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Puslinch spent about $259 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $141. Only 6 of 45 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Puslinch? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Puslinch $259; typical similar town $141; ranked 7th highest of 46.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 45 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy