Questions · 8 so far
We read South-West Oxford's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 38 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+15%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, South-West Oxford collected $961K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 15% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. None of the 38 similar towns raised theirs by more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$13,590,5002026 budget revenue line "Contributions from Reserve - General Government" (2025: $1,237,000)
Reserves are savings set aside for later. The 2026 budget is $29,477,530, up from $16,449,467 for 2025. The largest change is one line: "General Government" spending rises from $2,480,825 to $14,940,415, and the revenue line "Contributions from Reserve - General Government" rises from $1,237,000 to $13,590,500. Counting all the "Contributions from Reserve" lines in the 2026 budget gives $16,712,938 (worked out by us). The audited statements show reserves of $9,440,532 at the end of 2025. The budget does not say what the general government money is for. The statements note that council is looking at a new administration building and has made preliminary funding applications, but they do not say the two are linked.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,277,166transportation expenditures in 2025, against a budget of $2,596,883
Transportation covers roads, bridges, equipment and winter work. It cost $680,283 more than budget in 2025 (worked out by us), a rise of 26 per cent, and $101,482 more than 2024 (worked out by us). Overall, spending was $9,841,749 against a budget of $9,022,685, $819,064 more (worked out by us). Protection (fire, police, building) was also over, by $232,231 (worked out by us). Revenue was also over budget, so the year still ended in a surplus.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$2,264,375drains receivable at the end of 2025, up from $1,194,929
Municipal drains are ditches and tile drains the Township builds or repairs, and bills to the landowners who benefit. "Drains receivable" is what those owners still owe. It was $1,194,929 at the end of 2024 and $2,264,375 at the end of 2025, a rise of $1,069,446 (worked out by us). It is now larger than the taxes owed to the Township ($1,699,239). Its 2025 budget for drainage operations was $355,005, and the 2026 budget for them is $187,442.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$1.7Mowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $1.7M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 10% of everything billed. Only 7 of 38 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.5M.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$11,519,752revenue in 2025, against a budget of $10,498,451
Revenue was $11,519,752 against a budget of $10,498,451, which is $1,021,301 more (worked out by us). Taxation was $7,422,759 against $7,156,606. Government grants were $2,604,947 against $2,252,430. Investment income was $250,443 against $125,000, and penalties and interest on unpaid taxes $232,522 against $130,000. The excess of revenue over spending was $2,878,173, about what was budgeted ($2,786,180), because spending was also over budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$4,063,143capital assets bought in 2025, against a budget of $4,694,098
Capital assets are things like roads, buildings and trucks that last for years. The statements show the Township bought $4,063,143 of them in 2025, which is $630,955 less than the budgeted $4,694,098 (worked out by us). Planning and development spending was $862,546 against a budget of $1,294,969. Work in progress (projects started and not finished) fell from $796,727 to $273,889.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$990,139the Township's investment in ERTH Corporation at the end of 2025
ERTH Corporation is a company whose results the Township reports in its statements. The Township owns 1.7 per cent of it. The statements carry the investment at $990,139: a promissory note (a loan) of $256,500 and equity (the Township's share of ERTH's value) of $733,639. The note bears interest at 7.25 per cent and brought in $18,596 in 2025. ERTH paid a dividend of $1,030,000 in 2025, of which the Township's portion is $17,535. The Township's equity grew by $53,209 in the year. The Township explains this in its own notes: it is a government business enterprise and is counted on a modified equity basis.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+15%town property tax, 2024 to 2025
In 2025, South-West Oxford collected $961K more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 15% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. None of the 38 similar towns raised theirs by more.
| Year | Town property tax |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $6.1M |
| 2020 | $6.1M |
| 2021 | $5.8M |
| 2022 | $6.0M |
| 2023 | $6.5M |
| 2024 | $6.5M |
| 2025 | $7.4M |
A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $305 more each 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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Town property tax: $6,461,582 in 2024, $7,422,759 in 2025.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Typical increase among 38 similar Ontario towns: 6.9%. South-West Oxford ranks 1st highest.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 38 similar municipalities · Schedule 10, line 9940 · archived copy
Prices (inflation) rose 2.1% over the same year.
$13,590,5002026 budget revenue line "Contributions from Reserve - General Government" (2025: $1,237,000)
Reserves are savings set aside for later. The 2026 budget is $29,477,530, up from $16,449,467 for 2025. The largest change is one line: "General Government" spending rises from $2,480,825 to $14,940,415, and the revenue line "Contributions from Reserve - General Government" rises from $1,237,000 to $13,590,500. Counting all the "Contributions from Reserve" lines in the 2026 budget gives $16,712,938 (worked out by us). The audited statements show reserves of $9,440,532 at the end of 2025. The budget does not say what the general government money is for. The statements note that council is looking at a new administration building and has made preliminary funding applications, but they do not say the two are linked.
A budget this much bigger than the year before, paid for from savings, could be a very large project or a way of showing money moving between accounts. Residents deserve to know which, because savings used once are not there next time.
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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
2026 Township Budget, Expenditures: General Government $14,940,415; total $29,477,530. Revenues: Contributions from Reserve - General Government (13,590,500); - Council (24,500); - Rds - Equipment (400,000); - Rds - Capital (818,500); - Climate Change (13,967); - Recreation (291,845); - Fire (826,500); Contributions from Reserves - Economic Development (747,126); total (29,477,530).
By-law 77-2025, Schedule A (2026 budget) · Schedule A, Expenditures, PDF page 2; Revenues, PDF page 3 (scanned images)
2025 Township Budget: General Government $2,480,825; Contributions from Reserve - General Government $1,237,000; total $16,449,467.
By-law 94-2024, Schedule A (2025 budget) · Schedule A, Expenditures, PDF page 2; Revenues, PDF page 3 (scanned images)
Note 10, Accumulated surplus: Reserves $9,440,532 (2024: $8,593,523). Note 18, Significant event: "Council is currently evaluating the Township's requirement for a new administration building. As part of this evaluation, preliminary applications have been made for funding for this project."
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Notes 10 and 18 · Note 10, PDF page 15; Note 18, PDF page 17 (scanned images)
$3,277,166transportation expenditures in 2025, against a budget of $2,596,883
Transportation covers roads, bridges, equipment and winter work. It cost $680,283 more than budget in 2025 (worked out by us), a rise of 26 per cent, and $101,482 more than 2024 (worked out by us). Overall, spending was $9,841,749 against a budget of $9,022,685, $819,064 more (worked out by us). Protection (fire, police, building) was also over, by $232,231 (worked out by us). Revenue was also over budget, so the year still ended in a surplus.
Roads are the biggest single cost for a rural township. A line that is a quarter over budget in a year suggests the plan did not match the work, and residents may want to know whether it was bad weather, a project that cost more, or a change of 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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations, expenditures (2025 budget; 2025 actual; 2024 actual): Transportation services 2,596,883; 3,277,166; 3,175,684. Protection to persons and property 2,735,485; 2,967,716; 2,846,913. Total expenditures 9,022,685; 9,841,749; 9,646,548.
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Statement of Operations · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 6 (scanned image)
Note 12, Budget figures: "The approved operating budget for 2025 is reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus."
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Note 12 · Note 12, PDF page 16 (scanned image)
$2,264,375drains receivable at the end of 2025, up from $1,194,929
Municipal drains are ditches and tile drains the Township builds or repairs, and bills to the landowners who benefit. "Drains receivable" is what those owners still owe. It was $1,194,929 at the end of 2024 and $2,264,375 at the end of 2025, a rise of $1,069,446 (worked out by us). It is now larger than the taxes owed to the Township ($1,699,239). Its 2025 budget for drainage operations was $355,005, and the 2026 budget for them is $187,442.
The Township pays for drain work first and is repaid by landowners over years. If the amount owed grows quickly, the Township carries more risk, and the cost of borrowing falls on all taxpayers until it is repaid.
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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of financial position, 2025 (2024): taxes receivable 1,699,239 (1,454,063); accounts receivable 738,501 (920,424); drains receivable 2,264,375 (1,194,929); total financial assets 13,710,204 (13,574,726).
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Statement of Financial Position · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 5 (scanned image)
Note 9, Long-term liabilities: "The debt repayment includes $141,763 (2024 - $108,295) that is recoverable from ratepayers." Net long-term liabilities 1,736,788 (2024: 1,995,797).
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Note 9 · Note 9, Long-term liabilities, PDF page 14 (scanned image)
2026 budget: Drainage Operations $187,442; Drainage - Transfer to Reserve $169,983; Municipal Drainage Debentures $43,468. Revenues: Municipal Drainage and Tile Drain Debentures (171,339); Drainage Revenue (32,163).
By-law 77-2025, Schedule A (2026 budget) · Schedule A, PDF pages 2 and 3 (scanned images)
Schedule "A" to By-Law 94-2024, 2025 Township Budget, Expenditures: "Drainage Operations $ 355,005".
By-law 94-2024, Schedule A (2025 budget) · Schedule A, Expenditures, PDF page 2 (scanned image)
$1.7Mowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $1.7M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 10% of everything billed. Only 7 of 38 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.5M.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $1.2M |
| 2020 | $1.1M |
| 2021 | $937K |
| 2022 | $1.1M |
| 2023 | $1.3M |
| 2024 | $1.5M |
| 2025 | $1.7M |
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.
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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $1.2M, 2020 $1.1M, 2021 $937K, 2022 $1.1M, 2023 $1.3M, 2024 $1.5M, 2025 $1.7M. Of the 2025 total, $888K was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 7.4% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 38 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
$11,519,752revenue in 2025, against a budget of $10,498,451
Revenue was $11,519,752 against a budget of $10,498,451, which is $1,021,301 more (worked out by us). Taxation was $7,422,759 against $7,156,606. Government grants were $2,604,947 against $2,252,430. Investment income was $250,443 against $125,000, and penalties and interest on unpaid taxes $232,522 against $130,000. The excess of revenue over spending was $2,878,173, about what was budgeted ($2,786,180), because spending was also over budget.
Budgets that come in lower than the real revenue leave the Township with money it did not plan for. It may reflect caution, but residents may wish to know how it is used.
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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations, revenue (2025 budget; 2025 actual; 2024 actual): taxation revenue 7,156,606; 7,422,759; 6,461,582. User charges 831,915; 1,001,828; 1,056,021. Government grants 2,252,430; 2,604,947; 2,563,020. Investment income 125,000; 250,443; 424,590. Penalty and interest on taxes 130,000; 232,522; 192,358. Total revenue 10,498,451; 11,519,752; 10,744,468. Excess of revenue over expenditures 2,786,180; 2,878,173; 1,759,679.
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Statement of Operations · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 6 (scanned image)
$4,063,143capital assets bought in 2025, against a budget of $4,694,098
Capital assets are things like roads, buildings and trucks that last for years. The statements show the Township bought $4,063,143 of them in 2025, which is $630,955 less than the budgeted $4,694,098 (worked out by us). Planning and development spending was $862,546 against a budget of $1,294,969. Work in progress (projects started and not finished) fell from $796,727 to $273,889.
Money not spent in a year usually carries over, so the work comes later. Residents may want to know which projects were pushed back.
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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of change in net financial assets (2025 budget; 2025 actual; 2024 actual): acquisition of tangible capital assets (4,694,098); (4,063,143); (2,386,235). Decrease (increase) in work in progress: nil; 522,838; (743,954).
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets · Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets, PDF page 8 (scanned image)
Statement of operations, planning and development (2025 budget; 2025 actual; 2024 actual): 1,294,969; 862,546; 974,180.
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Statement of Operations · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 6 (scanned image)
Non-financial assets, "Work in progress 273,889 796,727" (2025, 2024).
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Statement of Financial Position · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Non-financial assets, PDF page 5 (printed page 3; scanned image)
$990,139the Township's investment in ERTH Corporation at the end of 2025
ERTH Corporation is a company whose results the Township reports in its statements. The Township owns 1.7 per cent of it. The statements carry the investment at $990,139: a promissory note (a loan) of $256,500 and equity (the Township's share of ERTH's value) of $733,639. The note bears interest at 7.25 per cent and brought in $18,596 in 2025. ERTH paid a dividend of $1,030,000 in 2025, of which the Township's portion is $17,535. The Township's equity grew by $53,209 in the year. The Township explains this in its own notes: it is a government business enterprise and is counted on a modified equity basis.
A township that holds a share of an energy business takes some risk with public money. Residents may want to know what the investment is for, and what happens if it fails.
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 South-West Oxford? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 11: "the Township owns 1.7% (2024 - 1.7%) of ERTH Corporation." Promissory note receivable 256,500 (256,500); equity 733,639 (680,430); total 990,139 (936,930). The note "is unsecured and bears interest at 7.25%"; "Interest received during the year is $18,596 (2024 - $18,596)."
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Note 11 · Note 11, PDF page 15 (scanned image)
Note 11 continued: ERTH Corporation total net assets $43,094,867; total revenue $121,475,284; total comprehensive income $4,155,597. ERTH declared a dividend of $1,030,000 in 2025, of which the Township's portion is $17,535 (1.7%).
2025 Audited Financial Statements, Note 11 (continued) · Note 11 continued, PDF page 16 (scanned image)