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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Springwater'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 Springwater's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 46 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.
$22,930,000total compensation from Barrie, payable 2026 to 2030, for land that pays about $158,096.47 a year in tax
On January 1, 2026 about 1,216 hectares of Springwater moved to the City of Barrie by a provincial law. The Township's 2024 statements say Barrie will pay it $22,930,000 over five years, 2026 to 2030. The agreement attached to the by-law says the land brings in about $158,096.47 a year in tax today, and sets pay at $15,000 for each developable acre, with $5,000,000 due on January 1, 2026. Separately it sets $170,000 a year ($850,000 in total) that must go to economic development. Worked out by us: $22,930,000 less $850,000 is $22,080,000, and $22,930,000 is about 145 years of the tax the land pays now. We did not find a plan for the money in the budget book we read, which was written before the deal was signed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
5vetoes by the Mayor between November 7, 2025 and February 6, 2026
Since May 1, 2025 the Mayor has strong-mayor powers, which let her veto parts of Council's by-laws if she thinks they could get in the way of provincial housing goals. The Township's page lists five vetoes between November 7, 2025 and February 6, 2026. Three (November 7, 12 and 13) cancelled Council resolutions telling its law firm to take legal action over the Mayor's use of those powers on the Barrie boundary. One (December 8) cancelled a $100,000 road paving amendment to the budget. The last (February 6) cancelled Council's direction to pay a law firm invoice. The documents we read do not say how much was billed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
Audited statements are the independent check on a town's books. Springwater's posted 2023 statements are signed by the auditor on January 21, 2026, more than two years after year end. The 2024 statements are signed June 5, 2026, about 17 months after year end (by our count, from December 31, 2024 to June 5, 2026). The 2025 statements were not posted when we looked on October 5, 2026. We do not know whether the January 2026 date for 2023 is a first issue or a re-issue.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$667,833one-time draw from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve in the 2026 proposed budget
The Mayor's proposed 2026 budget raises the Township's part of the property tax by 7.97%, or $243.60 a year on a typical $497,000 home counting the County's share too. That is after taking $667,833 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve (a savings account for smoothing tax increases). That draw is worth 3.16 percentage points. Worked out by us, without it the Township's increase would have been about 11.13%. The budget says the draw is one-time, to cover a short-term fall in growth. Over 2017 to 2025 the Township's increase averaged 2.30% a year.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$19,333,104debt in the 2026 capital funding table, against $8,850,950 on the debt page
At the end of 2024 the Township owed $1,515,942 on long-term loans and held cash of $26,004,205 and investments of $14,034,237. The 2026 budget's debt page says it expects about $8.9 million of new debt, listed as $8,850,950. The 2026 capital plan's funding table shows debt of $19,333,104. The two numbers are not explained next to each other. The budget notes that debt servicing in the operating budget rises from $321,025 to $841,735 between the 2025 approved and 2026 base budgets.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$15,314,4882026 base salaries and benefits, against $14,114,517 approved for 2025 (difference worked out by us)
The tax supported budget lists Salaries and Benefits at $14,114,517 for 2025 (approved) and $15,314,488 for 2026 (base), before new positions. Worked out by us, that is $1,199,971 more, or 8.5%. New positions add $236,322 on top, for $15,550,810. The budget says a cost-of-living adjustment is included and a market review of non-union pay was done in 2025. It does not give a dollar breakdown of the $1,199,971. In 2024 the audited statements show salaries and benefits of $12,629,976, below a budget of $13,562,917.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
Springwater spent $3.8M on roads and snow in 2019 and $5.8M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 9 of 46 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
The Integrity Commissioner, who investigates complaints against council members, issued a report dated June 30, 2026 on a complaint by a landowner group about remarks the Mayor made in fall 2025. It found that Mayor Jennifer Coughlin contravened section 4 of the Code of Conduct, which requires members to treat people with respect. The Commissioner did not find that her questions about the group's finances broke the Code. He recommended a reprimand. The Township says Council adopted it "in the form of a meaningful public apology". We did not find a record of the apology.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,898,492investment income in 2024, against a budget of $600,000
In 2024 the Township budgeted $600,000 of investment income and recorded $1,898,492 (2023: $2,153,838). The audited annual surplus was $3,346,538, against $17,857,833 in the statement's budget column. The budget note explains that gap: the budget column adds capital spending and development charges back. The Township credited $652,296 of interest to its restricted reserve funds. For 2026 the proposed budget has investment and interest income of $1,105,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$22,930,000total compensation from Barrie, payable 2026 to 2030, for land that pays about $158,096.47 a year in tax
On January 1, 2026 about 1,216 hectares of Springwater moved to the City of Barrie by a provincial law. The Township's 2024 statements say Barrie will pay it $22,930,000 over five years, 2026 to 2030. The agreement attached to the by-law says the land brings in about $158,096.47 a year in tax today, and sets pay at $15,000 for each developable acre, with $5,000,000 due on January 1, 2026. Separately it sets $170,000 a year ($850,000 in total) that must go to economic development. Worked out by us: $22,930,000 less $850,000 is $22,080,000, and $22,930,000 is about 145 years of the tax the land pays now. We did not find a plan for the money in the budget book we read, which was written before the deal was signed.
Why it matters
This is a very large sum for a township this size. How it is spent (savings, roads, buildings, lower taxes) is a choice for the next Council. Residents may want to know the plan before the October 26, 2026 election.
It could be because…
The land is expected to be developed, so its value is far above today's tax. A price of $15,000 per developable acre may reflect that.
Payments come over five years with no interest, so the money is worth less than the headline number.
The Township loses growth it planned for, and the Long Range Financial Plan has not yet been updated, so a spending plan may not be ready.
The Township's 2026/27 budget was written in October 2025, before the February 2026 compensation agreement, so it could not include it.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan for the $22,080,000 that is not earmarked for economic development: savings, roads, buildings, or lower taxes?
Has the signed agreement changed the terms in the draft appendix, and how many developable acres was the $22,930,000 based on?
When will the Long Range Financial Plan update, delayed because of the boundary change, come to Council?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 21, Subsequent events: the Act "comes into force effective January 1, 2026" and "approximately 1,216 hectares are being transferred from the Township of Springwater to the City of Barrie." "On February 20, 2026, a compensation agreement between the City of Barrie and the Township of Springwater was executed. The Township of Springwater will receive $22,930,000 in total compensation from the City of Barrie, payable in installments over five years, 2026 to 2030."
Section 6.1: the current assessment value of the Annexed Lands "results in annual tax revenue of approximately $158,096.47". Section 6.2: compensation based on "Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) per developable acre of Annexed Land". Section 6.3: "Payment of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) shall be made on January 1, 2026", the rest in annual instalments through January 1, 2030, "with no consideration for interest". The appendix is marked Draft in the posted copy.
Section 5.3: "The City will pay to the Township $170,000 per year commencing on January 1, 2026, and ending on January 1, 2030 ($850,000 total) without interest to be used exclusively for the purpose of funding economic development priorities."
Corporate Services budget note: "The 2025 Long Range Financial Plan update has been deferred to 2026 due to circumstances involving the pending Barrie boundary adjustment and the pending construction of the Ultimate Wastewater Treatment Plant." We did not find any compensation from Barrie in the budget book.
5vetoes by the Mayor between November 7, 2025 and February 6, 2026
Since May 1, 2025 the Mayor has strong-mayor powers, which let her veto parts of Council's by-laws if she thinks they could get in the way of provincial housing goals. The Township's page lists five vetoes between November 7, 2025 and February 6, 2026. Three (November 7, 12 and 13) cancelled Council resolutions telling its law firm to take legal action over the Mayor's use of those powers on the Barrie boundary. One (December 8) cancelled a $100,000 road paving amendment to the budget. The last (February 6) cancelled Council's direction to pay a law firm invoice. The documents we read do not say how much was billed.
Why it matters
Council voted to spend public money on a legal question about how the Mayor was using her powers, and the Mayor cancelled it. Residents pay the legal bills either way and may want to know how much, and whether Council tried to override any veto (it needs two-thirds of members).
It could be because…
Strong-mayor powers are set by provincial law, and the Mayor gave her reasons in writing each time, as the law requires.
The Mayor says the actions could get in the way of provincial housing priorities, which the law lets her act on.
For the paving veto, the Mayor says the road is rated fair and is not in the 10-year capital plan, and the money would have come from the Tax Rate Stabilization Fund (a savings account for smoothing tax increases).
Council can override a veto with a two-thirds vote. We did not read the minutes to see whether it tried.
Questions you could ask
How much has the Township been billed, and paid, for the legal work Council directed from November 2025 to February 2026, including the invoice vetoed on February 6, 2026?
Is that cost inside the $150,500 legal fees budget for 2026, or paid from reserves?
Did Council try to override any of the five vetoes?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
MD-2025-005, November 7, 2025: vetoes By-law 2025-091 "in part, as it applies to resolution C446-2025 to direct Loopstra Nixon LLP to commence legal proceedings". Reason: "Council’s decision to challenge the use of Strong Mayors Powers and to obtain injunctive relief constitutes an interference with a prescribed provincial priority".
MD-2025-007, November 13, 2025: vetoes By-law 2025-094 "in part, as it applies to resolution C458-2025 to oppose the City of Barrie Boundary Adjustment proposal and to direct Loopstra Nixon LLP to proceed with legal proceedings". The Mayor's reasons mention Council seeking "to request a judicial inquiry respecting the lawful and good faith exercise of said powers".
MD-2025-008, December 8, 2025: vetoes Resolution C505-2025, "That the paving of Idlewood from Frid Blvd to Neretva be included in the 2026 capital budget, at an estimated cost of $100,000.00, to be funded from the Tax Rate Stabilization Fund." Reason: "the rehabilitation of this portion of road is not identified in the 10-year capital plan as the pavement is deemed in fair condition."
MD-2026-001, February 6, 2026: vetoes By-law 2026-002 "in part as it applies to resolution C016A-2026 and C019-2026 to direct staff to pay an invoice from Loopstra Nixon (hereinafter referred to as the “By-law”)." The decision does not state the amount.
Audited statements are the independent check on a town's books. Springwater's posted 2023 statements are signed by the auditor on January 21, 2026, more than two years after year end. The 2024 statements are signed June 5, 2026, about 17 months after year end (by our count, from December 31, 2024 to June 5, 2026). The 2025 statements were not posted when we looked on October 5, 2026. We do not know whether the January 2026 date for 2023 is a first issue or a re-issue.
Why it matters
Residents and Council use these statements to see whether a year's budget was met. Late statements mean decisions, including the 2026 budget, are made without the latest audited year, and the vote on October 26, 2026 comes before the 2025 results are public.
It could be because…
A new accounting standard on asset retirement obligations was adopted for 2023, and the statements also adopted a new revenue standard in 2024, which can slow an audit.
The 2023 statements may have been re-issued after changes, which would make the January 2026 date a second signing.
The Barrie boundary work in 2025 and 2026 may have used finance staff time.
Questions you could ask
What caused the 2023 and 2024 audits to finish this late, and was the January 21, 2026 date on the 2023 statements a re-issue?
When will the 2025 audited statements go to Council and be posted?
Does the delay affect the Township's yearly Financial Information Return to the Province?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Auditor's report, Baker Tilly KDN LLP, Peterborough, Ontario, dated January 21, 2026, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The management report is also dated January 21, 2026.
Auditor's report, Baker Tilly KDN LLP, Peterborough, Ontario, dated June 5, 2026, for the year ended December 31, 2024. The opinion is clean: the statements "present fairly, in all material respects".
February 18, 2026: "Council received the Township’s 2024 audit planning report from external auditors, Baker Tilly KDN LLP". May 20, 2026: Council received the presentation of "the 2024 Draft Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and allocated the 2024 surplus to the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve."
$667,833one-time draw from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve in the 2026 proposed budget
The Mayor's proposed 2026 budget raises the Township's part of the property tax by 7.97%, or $243.60 a year on a typical $497,000 home counting the County's share too. That is after taking $667,833 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve (a savings account for smoothing tax increases). That draw is worth 3.16 percentage points. Worked out by us, without it the Township's increase would have been about 11.13%. The budget says the draw is one-time, to cover a short-term fall in growth. Over 2017 to 2025 the Township's increase averaged 2.30% a year.
Why it matters
A one-time draw lowers this year's bill but not the base the next increase builds on. If the money is not there next year, the 2027 increase starts from a higher base.
It could be because…
The Township says growth slowed after the post-pandemic building boom, and the draw is a short-term bridge.
The Township says inflation (CPI) averaged 2.77% a year over 2017 to 2025, faster than its own 2.30%, so catch-up is expected.
The Mayor's later direction, MDIR-2025-004, added $167,833 more from the reserve, so the reserve is being used on purpose to hold the rate down.
Questions you could ask
What is the balance of the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve before and after the 2026 draw, and what is the plan for 2027?
Does the $667,833 in the proposed budget already include the $167,833 added on November 6, 2025?
What was in the final adopted 2026 budget, after Council's amendments and the Mayor's veto?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Budget drivers: Township Budget Change 1,918,199; Service Partners Budget Change 625,498; Total Budget Change 2,543,697. "Less: Assessment Growth 193,445"; "Less: Transfer from Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve 667,833"; "Total Consolidated Budget Change 1,682,419" (7.97%). "the 2026 Budget includes a one-time transfer from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to reduce the tax burden."
Residential tax: Township of Springwater 2,281.72 in 2025 and 2,463.62 in 2026, change 181.90 (7.97%). Total with County and education 4,584.60 and 4,828.20, change 243.60 (5.31%), for a home assessed at $497,000.
Mayoral Direction MDIR-2025-004, November 6, 2025, directs "Inclusion of additional $167,833 of funding from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve" and "Inclusion of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocation increase of $153,745".
$19,333,104debt in the 2026 capital funding table, against $8,850,950 on the debt page
At the end of 2024 the Township owed $1,515,942 on long-term loans and held cash of $26,004,205 and investments of $14,034,237. The 2026 budget's debt page says it expects about $8.9 million of new debt, listed as $8,850,950. The 2026 capital plan's funding table shows debt of $19,333,104. The two numbers are not explained next to each other. The budget notes that debt servicing in the operating budget rises from $321,025 to $841,735 between the 2025 approved and 2026 base budgets.
Why it matters
Borrowing costs interest and is paid back through taxes. Residents may want to know why money is borrowed while savings are held, and which of the two debt numbers is right.
It could be because…
Much of the cash is not free to spend: $14,447,737 is held in reserve funds the law or agreements restrict, such as development charges.
The $19,333,104 may include carried-forward 2025 projects and internal borrowing from the Township's own reserves, which the budget describes separately from outside debt.
The plan uses debt for growth projects where development charges cannot pay, to be repaid over the life of the asset.
The Township's debt room is large: it used 8.8% of its borrowing limit and says it could borrow $77M and stay within it.
Questions you could ask
Which is the right figure for new debt in 2026, $8,850,950 or $19,333,104, and what makes up the difference?
How much of the cash and investments is free to spend on these projects, after reserve funds and bills owed?
What will the new debt cost each year in interest, compared with what the cash earns?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of financial position, 2024: Cash 26,004,205; Investments 14,034,237; Long term debt 1,515,942; Deferred revenue - obligatory reserve funds 14,447,737; Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10,181,221.
2026/27 Debt Servicing Costs: "The Township is anticipating requiring approximately $8.9M in new debt". Municipal Buildings $2,964,000; Roads and Related Infrastructure $2,889,950; Fleet and Equipment $2,247,000; Parks and Recreation $750,000; Total $8,850,950.
2026 Capital Plan, Revenues Budget: Development Charges 21,891,157; Debt 19,333,104; Wastewater Reserve Fund 8,316,952; Reserves 3,757,386; Total 59,209,491.
Debt capacity: "Used Debt Capacity (C / B) 8.8%"; "the Township could issue debt in the amount of $77M at a 5% annual rate over a term of 20 years and still be within its debt capacity." External debt at year-end 2025 "estimated at $1.1 million".
$15,314,4882026 base salaries and benefits, against $14,114,517 approved for 2025 (difference worked out by us)
The tax supported budget lists Salaries and Benefits at $14,114,517 for 2025 (approved) and $15,314,488 for 2026 (base), before new positions. Worked out by us, that is $1,199,971 more, or 8.5%. New positions add $236,322 on top, for $15,550,810. The budget says a cost-of-living adjustment is included and a market review of non-union pay was done in 2025. It does not give a dollar breakdown of the $1,199,971. In 2024 the audited statements show salaries and benefits of $12,629,976, below a budget of $13,562,917.
Why it matters
Pay is the largest single cost. Residents can judge a 7.97% tax increase better if they can see how much of it is pay for the same jobs, and how much is new or filled jobs.
It could be because…
The Township gives a cost-of-living adjustment and a new non-union pay grid set at the 50th percentile of 11 comparable municipalities.
Positions approved in 2025 may be partly filled in 2025 and full-year in 2026.
In 2024 the Township spent $932,941 (worked out by us) less than its salary budget, so some of the 2025 and 2026 increase may be filling jobs that were vacant.
Questions you could ask
How is the $1,199,971 increase in base salaries and benefits split between the cost-of-living adjustment, the new pay grid, and positions approved earlier?
How many positions were vacant at the end of 2025?
What did actual 2025 salaries come to, against the $14,114,517 approved?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Program Changes: five changes, total gross costs 254,572, net tax impact 254,572. "A cost-of-living adjustment has been factored into the 2026/2027 Budget considering the criteria above." Pay review: "Job rates have been set at the 50th percentile of the market comparator group."
Springwater spent $3.8M on roads and snow in 2019 and $5.8M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 9 of 46 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of roads and snow grow 50% in 5 years?
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
−20%+0%+20%+40%+60%
+50%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
−3%
+1%
2021
+5%
+4%
2022
+26%
+11%
2023
+47%
+16%
2024
+50%
+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 $1.9M a year pay for?
Why did roadsides and signs go from $1.6M to $3.1M?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Springwater spent $2.6M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $4.2M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 59% in 5 years?
Water, sewers and garbage
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%
+59%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Water, sewers and garbage
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+17%
+1%
2021
+17%
+4%
2022
+28%
+11%
2023
+42%
+16%
2024
+59%
+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 $1.5M a year pay for?
Why did water treatment go from $1.1M to $2.1M?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Integrity Commissioner, who investigates complaints against council members, issued a report dated June 30, 2026 on a complaint by a landowner group about remarks the Mayor made in fall 2025. It found that Mayor Jennifer Coughlin contravened section 4 of the Code of Conduct, which requires members to treat people with respect. The Commissioner did not find that her questions about the group's finances broke the Code. He recommended a reprimand. The Township says Council adopted it "in the form of a meaningful public apology". We did not find a record of the apology.
Why it matters
A finding against a mayor, less than four months before an election, is information voters may want, and so is the way Council responded. The other complaint came from the Deputy Mayor about a fellow member, so both reports are public record voters can read for themselves.
It could be because…
The report says the Mayor told the Commissioner she had apologized to the person more than once and was willing to speak publicly about his positive work for the Township.
The Commissioner chose a reprimand over a pay suspension because he did not think a fine would change her conduct more.
Questions you could ask
Was the public apology made, when, and where can residents read or watch it?
Do the July 8, 2026 minutes record each member's vote on the reprimand?
Will the Integrity Commissioner's yearly report to Council, which the Code requires, be posted?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"I have determined that Mayor Coughlin contravened Rule 4 of the Code of Conduct through her fall 2025 comments" about a landowner group. "Accordingly, I recommend that Council reprimand Mayor Coughlin for her contraventions of Rule 4 of the Code of Conduct described herein." The report also says the Mayor's inquiries about the group's financial health "did not contravene the Code of Conduct". We do not repeat the words here because they are about a private person; the report quotes them.
July 8, 2026: "Council adopted the recommendations contained in the report to impose a reprimand in the form of a meaningful public apology that acknowledges the Integrity Commissioner’s findings." The Township notes this summary "is not a full representation of the meeting".
$1,898,492investment income in 2024, against a budget of $600,000
In 2024 the Township budgeted $600,000 of investment income and recorded $1,898,492 (2023: $2,153,838). The audited annual surplus was $3,346,538, against $17,857,833 in the statement's budget column. The budget note explains that gap: the budget column adds capital spending and development charges back. The Township credited $652,296 of interest to its restricted reserve funds. For 2026 the proposed budget has investment and interest income of $1,105,000.
Why it matters
When income beats the budget by this much, taxes may have been set higher than needed. When it is mostly the result of holding a lot of cash because projects were delayed, the pattern may repeat.
It could be because…
The Township held a large cash balance. Capital spending was $12,539,786 against a budget of $29,791,625, so cash stayed invested longer.
Interest rates may have been higher than the budget assumed.
Some interest is credited to restricted reserve funds and is not free to spend.
Questions you could ask
What interest rate and cash balance is the $1,105,000 for 2026 based on?
How much of the 2024 and 2025 investment income went to restricted reserve funds, and how much helped hold down the tax levy?
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 Springwater?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, 2024: Investment income budget 600,000, actual 1,898,492 (2023 2,153,838). Annual surplus budget 17,857,833, actual 3,346,538.
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