Questions · 8 so far
We read The Archipelago's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 43 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+89%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
The Archipelago spent $1.9M on running the town office in 2019 and $3.6M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 43 similar towns had faster growth here.
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.
$549,992spent in 2025 on South roads overhead and administration, against a budget of $422,697
The Township pays for roads in two areas, North and South. In each, one line is "Overhead & Administration" (the share of general costs charged to roads). For the South, it was budgeted at $422,697 for 2025 and came in at $549,992. For the North, it was budgeted at $280,997 and came in at $387,551. The same happened in 2024. Added together, the two areas were about $233,849 over budget on this line in 2025 and about $115,735 over in 2024 (worked out by us). The 2026 budget raises the line again, to $471,536 (South) and $306,890 (North). We did not find the Township's explanation in the budget book.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$367,304paid in 2025, against a budget of $214,839
Belvedere Heights is a home for the aged in Parry Sound that the Township helps pay for through a yearly levy (a charge set by the body that runs it). The 2025 budget was $214,839 and the actual was $367,304. In 2024 the budget was $214,376; the table's "Transfers-Levy" row shows 214,376 but its total shows $297,310, so we could not tell which is right for 2024. The 2026 budget returns to $211,936. We did not find an explanation in the budget book.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$60,479spent in 2025 on HR lawyer fees, against a budget of $6,000
Under Administration, the budget book has separate lines for human-resources (HR) professional services. "Professional Services-HR Lawyer" was budgeted at $6,000 in both 2024 and 2025. It came in at $65,028 in 2024 and $60,479 in 2025. In 2024 "Professional Services-HR Cons." (consultants) was budgeted at $10,000 and came in at $55,629, and "Professional Services-HR Studies" was budgeted at $25,000 and came in at $36,325. The 2026 budget sets the lawyer line at $8,000 and the studies line at $35,000. The budget book says an organizational review was done in 2023 and the new structure was put in place in 2024 and revised in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
1,228,973interest and treasury revenue in 2025, against a budget of 791,912
Under Administration, "Interest & Treasury Revenues" were budgeted at 665,000 for 2024 and came in at 1,452,319. For 2025 they were budgeted at 791,912 and came in at 1,228,973. The 2026 budget is 869,000. Waste grants also came in above budget in 2025: 340,078 against 302,400 in the North and 514,444 against 453,600 in the South. Revenue above budget can mean the budget asks for more tax than it needs.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$756,000of the 2026 capital budget of $1,038,220 is borrowed from the Township's own reserves
A reserve is money set aside for later. For 2026 the capital budget is $1,038,220. Of that, $756,000 is "Borrow from Reserves" and $282,220 is Municipal Modernization Funding (a provincial grant). The book says 73% of the funding is borrowed from reserves and that the principal and interest are paid back through the operating budget over the life of the asset. It also says the Township is reviewing its reserves. Contributions to reserves are budgeted at 518,606 for 2026, up from 444,912.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
1.3%average increase in the 2026 tax rate, per the budget
The Township pays levies (charges) to outside bodies for health, social services and policing. The 2026 budget says these rose 5.4%, about $154,000 more. It says the provincial grant that offsets them (OMPF) rose 12%, so the net cost of external services falls 2.2%. Costs the Township controls rise 1.7%, and the average tax rate rises 1.3% (1.5% in the North, 1.2% in the South). The Township has already given this explanation; we raise it so readers can see it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,546spent on connectivity in 2025, against a budget of $57,000
The Connectivity budget lists "Tower Repairs & Maintenance" at 25,000 for both 2024 and 2025 with nothing spent, and "Broadband Consultants" at 25,000 for 2024 (1,832 spent) and 20,000 for 2025 (nothing shown as spent). Total connectivity expenditures were budgeted at $57,500 and $57,000 and came in at $2,117 and $1,546. The 2026 budget lowers the lines to 10,000 each. Money not spent is good for taxpayers, so this is context.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
+89%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
The Archipelago spent $1.9M on running the town office in 2019 and $3.6M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 43 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +18% | +1% |
| 2021 | +41% | +4% |
| 2022 | +56% | +11% |
| 2023 | +82% | +16% |
| 2024 | +89% | +18% |
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $1.9M, 2020 $2.2M, 2021 $2.6M, 2022 $2.9M, 2023 $3.4M, 2024 $3.6M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Senior management, from $304K to $3.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 38%. The Archipelago ranks 4th of 44.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 43 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$549,992spent in 2025 on South roads overhead and administration, against a budget of $422,697
The Township pays for roads in two areas, North and South. In each, one line is "Overhead & Administration" (the share of general costs charged to roads). For the South, it was budgeted at $422,697 for 2025 and came in at $549,992. For the North, it was budgeted at $280,997 and came in at $387,551. The same happened in 2024. Added together, the two areas were about $233,849 over budget on this line in 2025 and about $115,735 over in 2024 (worked out by us). The 2026 budget raises the line again, to $471,536 (South) and $306,890 (North). We did not find the Township's explanation in the budget book.
A budget is the promise made to taxpayers about what the year will cost. When one line is over budget two years running and is then raised, residents will want to know what it covers and why the first estimate was low. Roads are the biggest cost the Township controls.
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads Budget - South: "Overhead & Administration" 2024 budget 384,375, actual 452,475; 2025 budget 422,697, actual 549,992; 2026 budget 471,536. "Winter Control" 2025 budget 118,965, actual 171,617; 2026 budget 161,318.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Roads Budget - South, PDF page 86 (printed page 85)
Roads Budget - North: "Overhead & Administration" 2024 budget 251,955, actual 299,590; 2025 budget 280,997, actual 387,551; 2026 budget 306,890. "Total Maintenance" 2025 budget $486,367, actual $573,285.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Roads Budget - North, PDF page 72 (printed page 71)
$367,304paid in 2025, against a budget of $214,839
Belvedere Heights is a home for the aged in Parry Sound that the Township helps pay for through a yearly levy (a charge set by the body that runs it). The 2025 budget was $214,839 and the actual was $367,304. In 2024 the budget was $214,376; the table's "Transfers-Levy" row shows 214,376 but its total shows $297,310, so we could not tell which is right for 2024. The 2026 budget returns to $211,936. We did not find an explanation in the budget book.
A levy is a bill the Township cannot easily negotiate. If it was far above the budgeted amount, residents will want to know whether it was a one-time catch-up, a change in how the cost is shared or a budgeting mistake.
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Health Services summary, 2025 approved budget and 2026 proposed budget: "Belvedere Heights" 214,839 and 211,936.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Health Services, PDF page 41 (printed page 40)
Third table on the page, under the heading "BELVEDERE HEIGHTS": "Transfers-Levy" 2024 budget 214,376, actual 214,376; 2025 budget 214,839, actual 367,304; 2026 budget 211,936. "Total Expenses" $ 214,376 and $ 297,310 for 2024, $ 214,839 and $ 367,304 for 2025.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Health Services, Belvedere Heights table, PDF page 42 (printed page 41)
$60,479spent in 2025 on HR lawyer fees, against a budget of $6,000
Under Administration, the budget book has separate lines for human-resources (HR) professional services. "Professional Services-HR Lawyer" was budgeted at $6,000 in both 2024 and 2025. It came in at $65,028 in 2024 and $60,479 in 2025. In 2024 "Professional Services-HR Cons." (consultants) was budgeted at $10,000 and came in at $55,629, and "Professional Services-HR Studies" was budgeted at $25,000 and came in at $36,325. The 2026 budget sets the lawyer line at $8,000 and the studies line at $35,000. The budget book says an organizational review was done in 2023 and the new structure was put in place in 2024 and revised in 2025.
Spending several times the budget on the same line two years in a row suggests the budget is not matching what the Township is really using. Residents may want to know what the money bought and whether the 2026 budget is realistic.
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Administration: "Professional Services-HR Lawyer" 2024 budget 6,000, actual 65,028; 2025 budget 6,000, actual 60,479; 2026 budget 8,000. "Professional Services-HR Cons." 2024 budget 10,000, actual 55,629. "Professional Services-HR Studies" 2024 budget 25,000, actual 36,325; 2026 budget 35,000.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Administration budget table, PDF page 23 (printed page 22)
Organizational Structure: "An Organizational Review was conducted in 2023; the new structure below, was implemented in 2024 and subsequently revised in 2025."
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Organizational Structure, PDF page 3 (printed page 2)
1,228,973interest and treasury revenue in 2025, against a budget of 791,912
Under Administration, "Interest & Treasury Revenues" were budgeted at 665,000 for 2024 and came in at 1,452,319. For 2025 they were budgeted at 791,912 and came in at 1,228,973. The 2026 budget is 869,000. Waste grants also came in above budget in 2025: 340,078 against 302,400 in the North and 514,444 against 453,600 in the South. Revenue above budget can mean the budget asks for more tax than it needs.
Budgeting low on money that is likely to arrive is a common way to plan. If it happens every year it can also hide how much is really available, and residents may want to know what the extra money is used for.
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Administration: "Interest & Treasury Revenues" 2024 budget 665,000, actual 1,452,319; 2025 budget 791,912, actual 1,228,973; 2026 budget 869,000.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Administration budget table, PDF page 23 (printed page 22)
Solid Waste Budget - North: "Grants" 2024 budget 218,000, actual 241,009; 2025 budget 302,400, actual 340,078; 2026 budget 210,000.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Solid Waste Budget - North, PDF page 70 (printed page 69)
Solid Waste Budget - South: "Grants" 2024 budget 327,000, actual 361,513; 2025 budget 453,600, actual 514,444; 2026 budget 370,134.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Solid Waste Budget - South, PDF page 84 (printed page 83)
$756,000of the 2026 capital budget of $1,038,220 is borrowed from the Township's own reserves
A reserve is money set aside for later. For 2026 the capital budget is $1,038,220. Of that, $756,000 is "Borrow from Reserves" and $282,220 is Municipal Modernization Funding (a provincial grant). The book says 73% of the funding is borrowed from reserves and that the principal and interest are paid back through the operating budget over the life of the asset. It also says the Township is reviewing its reserves. Contributions to reserves are budgeted at 518,606 for 2026, up from 444,912.
Borrowing from reserves avoids outside debt. It also means future tax dollars pay back the Township to itself, and residents cannot see from this book how much is in each reserve.
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Capital Budget Summary: "Borrow from Reserves" 756,000; "Municipal Modernization Funding" 282,220; Total $1,038,220.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Capital Budget Summary, PDF page 88 (printed page 87)
2026 Capital Funding: "For 2026, 27% of the capital funding is from Provincial grants and 73% of the funding is borrowing from reserves." "Internal borrowing from operating reserves to fund current projects; principal plus interest expensed in the operating budget over the useful life of the asset."
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · 2026 Capital Funding, PDF page 19 (printed page 18)
Contributions to Reserves: "The Township is in the process of completing a review of reserves". Total 444,912 (2025 approved) and 518,606 (2026 proposed), 16.6%.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Contributions to Reserves, PDF page 46 (printed page 45)
1.3%average increase in the 2026 tax rate, per the budget
The Township pays levies (charges) to outside bodies for health, social services and policing. The 2026 budget says these rose 5.4%, about $154,000 more. It says the provincial grant that offsets them (OMPF) rose 12%, so the net cost of external services falls 2.2%. Costs the Township controls rise 1.7%, and the average tax rate rises 1.3% (1.5% in the North, 1.2% in the South). The Township has already given this explanation; we raise it so readers can see it.
Residents see one tax bill, and the Township does not control most of it. Only $0.51 of each dollar, the book says, stays with the Township.
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Budget at a Glance: "The cost of external levies has increased by 5.4% however, the OMPF grant is used to offset these costs, and it increased by 12%." "This results in an average increase of 1.3% in the tax rate." The North will see 1.5% and the South 1.2%.
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Budget at a Glance, PDF page 9 (printed page 8)
External Levies & Provincial Downloading: "External levies have increased by 5.4% in 2026, representing an additional financial impact of approximately $154,000."
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Budgetary Pressures, PDF page 8 (printed page 7)
Budget at a Glance: "The increase in costs controlled by the Township is 1.7%." "Therefore, the net decrease in costs for external services is 2.2%." Where do Property Taxes go?: "Did you know that only $0.51 of every dollar stays with the Township to provide all programs and services?" (the other $0.23 goes to external services and $0.26 to local school boards).
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Budget at a Glance, PDF page 9; Where do Property Taxes go?, PDF page 12
$1,546spent on connectivity in 2025, against a budget of $57,000
The Connectivity budget lists "Tower Repairs & Maintenance" at 25,000 for both 2024 and 2025 with nothing spent, and "Broadband Consultants" at 25,000 for 2024 (1,832 spent) and 20,000 for 2025 (nothing shown as spent). Total connectivity expenditures were budgeted at $57,500 and $57,000 and came in at $2,117 and $1,546. The 2026 budget lowers the lines to 10,000 each. Money not spent is good for taxpayers, so this is context.
Residents of an island township rely on internet and cell service. If planned work is not happening, they may want to know why and when it will.
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 The Archipelago? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Connectivity: "Tower Repairs & Maintenance" 2024 budget 25,000, 2025 budget 25,000, 2026 budget 10,000. "Broadband Consultants" 2024 budget 25,000, actual 1,832; 2025 budget 20,000; 2026 budget 10,000. "Total Expenditures" $57,500 and $2,117 (2024), $57,000 and $1,546 (2025).
2026 Budget, Township of The Archipelago · Connectivity budget table, PDF page 29 (printed page 28)