Questions · 3 so far
These questions come automatically from Red Rock's yearly financial reports to the Province, compared with 30 similar Ontario towns. Nobody has read this town's budget or minutes for this site yet, so there may be good explanations we have not seen.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$734Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Red Rock had $734K saved at the end of 2025, down from $1.3M in 2019. That is 19% of one year's spending. Only 3 of 30 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
+110%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Red Rock spent $474K on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $994K 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.
$408per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Red Rock spent about $408 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $120. Only 2 of 30 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$734Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Red Rock had $734K saved at the end of 2025, down from $1.3M in 2019. That is 19% of one year's spending. Only 3 of 30 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $1.3M |
| 2020 | $1.3M |
| 2021 | $3.1M |
| 2022 | $2.0M |
| 2023 | $1.5M |
| 2024 | $1.1M |
| 2025 | $734K |
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.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for Red Rock? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $1.3M, 2020 $1.3M, 2021 $3.1M, 2022 $2.0M, 2023 $1.5M, 2024 $1.1M, 2025 $734K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 68% of a year's spending. Red Rock: 19%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 30 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
+110%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Red Rock spent $474K on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $994K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −34% | +1% |
| 2021 | +26% | +4% |
| 2022 | +54% | +11% |
| 2023 | +64% | +16% |
| 2024 | +65% | +18% |
| 2025 | +110% | +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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for Red Rock? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $474K, 2020 $311K, 2021 $597K, 2022 $730K, 2023 $776K, 2024 $781K, 2025 $994K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Sewage treatment, from $105K to $377K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$408per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Red Rock spent about $408 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $120. Only 2 of 30 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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for Red Rock? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Red Rock $408; typical similar town $120; ranked 3rd highest of 31.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 30 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy