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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Trent Hills'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 · 8 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Trent Hills' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 80 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.
$6,723,827of the centre's cost not yet funded at December 31, 2024 (up from $5,188,087)
The 2023 statements said the Municipality had committed to build the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre at a total cost of $21,648,700 plus HST (the harmonized sales tax), and that $10,106,041 had been spent by December 31, 2023. The 2024 statements do not repeat that note, and we did not find a final cost anywhere we read. They do show a line called "unfunded capital" for the centre: money spent on it that has not yet been matched by a grant, a loan or a reserve. It grew from $5,188,087 to $6,723,827 in one year. In the 2026 budget the centre's loan payment is $467,043 a year, to 2045.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$2,386,744of loan principal due in 2026, the highest year in the repayment table
The statements list the principal the Municipality must repay on its long term debt, year by year. It is $1,192,198 for 2025 and $2,386,744 for 2026, the highest year shown. Several bank loans end in 2026, including one with a balance of $1,755,112 at December 31, 2024. Cash that is not restricted to a particular use fell from $7,907,229 to $3,459,760 in 2024. The Municipality has a $4,000,000 line of credit, with nothing drawn at the end of 2024.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$1,893,495listed beside the $2,485,000 Frank Street and Saskatoon Street project, funded by "2026 OCIF, and Loan"
The 2026 budget plans $6,747,325 of capital spending, up from $4,289,626 in 2025. The largest project, Frank Street and Saskatoon Street, is $2,485,000, and its funding comment reads "2026 OCIF, and Loan". The budget does not say how much of the $1,893,495 listed beside it is the loan. A new Public Works depot, to replace three sets of buildings and yards, is in both the 2025 and 2026 budgets at $100,000 a year for design. We did not find a total cost for it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$3,987,282net debt at December 31, 2024, after $5,131,228 of net financial assets a year earlier
Net financial assets is what a town has in cash and money owed to it, minus what it owes. Trent Hills had $5,131,228 of it at the end of 2023. At the end of 2024 it had net debt (the other direction) of $3,987,282. In 2024 the Municipality spent $24,994,159 on buildings, roads and equipment, borrowed $6,400,000, and its cash fell from $15,718,114 to $11,796,441. The Municipality's own budget in the same statements expected net debt, of $5,159,150, so this was planned.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
5.86% or 6.40%two different increases printed for the same $1,016,086
The 2026 budget raises the amount to be collected from property taxes from $17,325,999 to $18,342,085, a difference of $1,016,086. Two pages of the budget book give the percentage as 5.86%. Another page gives 6.40% for the same total. Dividing the difference by the 2025 figure gives 5.86% (worked out by us), so 6.40% looks like a leftover from an earlier draft. The book also says that 1% is about $173,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$168,745taken from reserves in 2026 to cover a predicted building permit shortfall
The building department is planned to cost $657,745 in 2026. Its fees are budgeted at $489,000, down from $544,000 in 2025. The $168,745 gap is covered by a withdrawal from reserves, where in 2025 the gap left to taxes was $53,026. The Municipality has explained part of this: it says permit fees were set "based on historical revenues received and forcasted building permit revenues" (spelled as printed), and that the shortfall is "predicted".
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$280,864increase in the 2026 OPP billing, with $173,000 taken from a reserve to soften it
Trent Hills pays the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) under a contract. The budget says the 2026 billing is $2,834,171, an increase of $280,864 or 11% on the monthly billing. It says the OPP's own starting figure was $3,261,303, and that a cap on the yearly increase brought it down by $427,132. In 2025 the same cap took off $431,907. The Municipality also moves $173,000 from a reserve in 2026 to soften the increase. The budget counts the increase as 1.8% of the municipal budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
MDI-2025-001the directive for the 2026 budget, issued May 13, 2025
The Municipality's 2026 budget book says the province gave Trent Hills strong mayor powers on May 1, 2025, and that on May 13, 2025 Mayor Crate issued Mayoral Directive MDI-2025-001 telling staff to prepare the 2026 budget. Under these powers the budget is the mayor's responsibility, and council can amend it within 30 days or the budget is deemed adopted. The Municipality's own page says every Mayoral Decision and Directive is posted, and lists a written approval for the by-laws passed at each council meeting.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$6,723,827of the centre's cost not yet funded at December 31, 2024 (up from $5,188,087)
The 2023 statements said the Municipality had committed to build the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre at a total cost of $21,648,700 plus HST (the harmonized sales tax), and that $10,106,041 had been spent by December 31, 2023. The 2024 statements do not repeat that note, and we did not find a final cost anywhere we read. They do show a line called "unfunded capital" for the centre: money spent on it that has not yet been matched by a grant, a loan or a reserve. It grew from $5,188,087 to $6,723,827 in one year. In the 2026 budget the centre's loan payment is $467,043 a year, to 2045.
Why it matters
This is the biggest building project in the documents we read, and it will be paid for by taxpayers for another twenty years. Residents can only judge it if they can see the promised cost, the final cost and who pays the difference.
It could be because…
The $21,648,700 was a 2023 commitment for design and construction only. Furniture, fit-up, site work or later changes could be counted separately.
"Unfunded capital" is a normal accounting line. It shows money spent before a grant, loan or reserve transfer has been booked against it, and the Municipality may already have a plan to fill it.
The centre was still being built at the end of 2024 (the statements show assets under construction rising), so the final cost may not be known yet.
Sponsorships for the centre are being collected over 15 years, so part of the cost is expected to arrive slowly.
Questions you could ask
What is the total cost of the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre to date, and how does it compare with the $21,648,700 plus HST committed in 2023?
How will the $6,723,827 of unfunded capital be paid for: grants, reserves, new borrowing or taxes?
How much of the loan on the centre has been drawn, and at what rate?
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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 17, Commitment: "The Municipality has committed to design and construction of the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre at a total cost of $21,648,700 plus HST. Total costs incurred to December 31, 2023 are $10,106,041."
Note 13, Tangible capital assets: "Assets under construction" 33,202,527 in 2024 and 14,856,252 in 2023. Net book value of "Recreation and cultural services" 33,589,498 in 2024 and 20,817,331 in 2023. The note does not break assets under construction down by project.
Note 5, Sponsorships receivable: "During 2023, the Municipality received various sponsorships for the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre. The majority of the sponsorships are receivable over a 15 year period." Sponsorships receivable on the balance sheet: 1,295,500 (2023: 1,340,250).
$2,386,744of loan principal due in 2026, the highest year in the repayment table
The statements list the principal the Municipality must repay on its long term debt, year by year. It is $1,192,198 for 2025 and $2,386,744 for 2026, the highest year shown. Several bank loans end in 2026, including one with a balance of $1,755,112 at December 31, 2024. Cash that is not restricted to a particular use fell from $7,907,229 to $3,459,760 in 2024. The Municipality has a $4,000,000 line of credit, with nothing drawn at the end of 2024.
Why it matters
A loan that ends must be paid off or replaced. If it is replaced, the town keeps paying interest. If it is paid off, the money has to come from somewhere. Residents should know which, before the next council decides.
It could be because…
Bank loans of this kind are often renewed when the term ends. One loan in the same note says "next renewal December 12, 2029", so renewal looks like the Municipality's practice.
The Municipality also holds reserves of $23,088,322 and reserve funds of $2,957,997 (note 14), though some are set aside for other purposes.
The statements say the payments are "within the annual debt repayment limit prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing".
Questions you could ask
Will the loans ending in 2026 be paid off from reserves, renewed with the bank, or replaced with new borrowing?
What is the lowest unrestricted cash balance the Municipality expects in 2026, and when?
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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 7(d), long term debt repayable: 2025 principal 1,192,198; 2026 principal 2,386,744, interest 479,201, total 2,865,945; 2027 principal 755,080.
Note 7(a): "Long term loan issued to Royal Bank of Canada, repayable in monthly blended instalments of $26,754, interest at 3.11% per annum, due December 16, 2026." Balance 1,755,112 in 2024 and 2,017,123 in 2023.
Note 8, Credit facility agreement: "The amount available at any time is limited to $4,000,000 via an operating line of credit." "At December 31, 2024 there was no balance outstanding (2023 - $Nil)."
Note 14, Accumulated surplus: "Total Reserves" 23,088,322 and "Total Reserve Funds" 2,957,997 in 2024 ("Working capital and contingency" reserves 5,682,434).
$1,893,495listed beside the $2,485,000 Frank Street and Saskatoon Street project, funded by "2026 OCIF, and Loan"
The 2026 budget plans $6,747,325 of capital spending, up from $4,289,626 in 2025. The largest project, Frank Street and Saskatoon Street, is $2,485,000, and its funding comment reads "2026 OCIF, and Loan". The budget does not say how much of the $1,893,495 listed beside it is the loan. A new Public Works depot, to replace three sets of buildings and yards, is in both the 2025 and 2026 budgets at $100,000 a year for design. We did not find a total cost for it.
Why it matters
The Municipality already carries $15,205,289 of long term debt. New loans and a large new depot would add to what residents repay over many years, so the size of each should be public before council commits.
It could be because…
"OCIF" is a provincial infrastructure grant, so part of the $1,893,495 may be grant money rather than a loan. The budget does not split them.
The depot is still at the design stage, so the Municipality may not yet have a total cost to publish.
Debt that replaces old debt can leave payments flat: the budget says the streetlight loan is finished in 2026 and a new Ranney Street loan was added.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $1,893,495 for Frank Street and Saskatoon Street is a loan, for how many years and at what rate?
What is the estimated total cost of the new Public Works depot, and how will it be paid for?
What will total debt payments, including water and wastewater, be in 2027 and 2028?
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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Capital Budget Summary: "Frank St. / Saskatoon St. Urbanization" total project budget $ 2,485,000, grants $ 591,505, other $ 1,893,495, funding comment "2026 OCIF, and Loan". Total capital $ 6,747,325.
Gross Capital Budget Project Detail: "Public Works Depot" $ 100,000, "Consolidated operations facility for Public Works, Fleet Services, and Community Services Department." "Replace Seymour, Alma and Fleet buildings and yards with new facility." "Conceptual design, geotech and other consulting commenced in 2024." The page prints no total cost.
Highlights of Year Over Year Changes, Debt: (33,669) "Streetlight Loan complete and Ranney St loan added". Municipal Debt Payments: total (principal & interest) 1,120,797, with the note "Debt payments shown above do not include Water & Wastewater debt payments."
$3,987,282net debt at December 31, 2024, after $5,131,228 of net financial assets a year earlier
Net financial assets is what a town has in cash and money owed to it, minus what it owes. Trent Hills had $5,131,228 of it at the end of 2023. At the end of 2024 it had net debt (the other direction) of $3,987,282. In 2024 the Municipality spent $24,994,159 on buildings, roads and equipment, borrowed $6,400,000, and its cash fell from $15,718,114 to $11,796,441. The Municipality's own budget in the same statements expected net debt, of $5,159,150, so this was planned.
Why it matters
Net debt means that future taxpayers will pay for part of what was built. It is not wrong for a town to build with borrowed money, but residents should know how large the gap is and how it will be closed.
It could be because…
Building large projects is paid for before the benefit arrives. The statements show assets under construction rising to $33,202,527.
The Municipality planned it: the 2024 budget in the statements already showed net debt of $5,159,150 at the end of the year.
The statements show a surplus of $12,287,405. That measure counts what was built as an asset, so it and net debt can move in opposite directions in a year of heavy building.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan, in years and dollars, to move from net debt back to net financial assets?
Which projects account for the $24,994,159 spent on capital in 2024, and how is each being paid 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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of Financial Position: "NET FINANCIAL ASSETS/(NET DEBT)" (3,987,282) in 2024 and 5,131,228 in 2023. "Long term debt (note 7)" 15,205,289 in 2024 and 9,902,806 in 2023. "Cash (note 3)" 11,796,441 in 2024 and 15,718,114 in 2023.
Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets/(Net Debt): "NET FINANCIAL ASSETS/(NET DEBT) - end of year" budget (5,159,150), actual (3,987,282), 2023 actual 5,131,228. "Purchase of tangible capital assets" budget (24,437,768), actual (24,994,159).
5.86% or 6.40%two different increases printed for the same $1,016,086
The 2026 budget raises the amount to be collected from property taxes from $17,325,999 to $18,342,085, a difference of $1,016,086. Two pages of the budget book give the percentage as 5.86%. Another page gives 6.40% for the same total. Dividing the difference by the 2025 figure gives 5.86% (worked out by us), so 6.40% looks like a leftover from an earlier draft. The book also says that 1% is about $173,000.
Why it matters
The tax increase is the number most residents look at. When one budget book prints two, readers cannot tell which one council voted on.
It could be because…
The 6.40% may be a leftover from an earlier draft of the table. The page is a chart of categories and not a summary line.
A household's bill also depends on the County and school board shares, and on how much its assessment changed. The budget book says those are not in it.
The Municipality may have corrected the book after it was posted.
Questions you could ask
Which percentage did Council approve on January 13, 2026, and will the book be corrected?
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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Summary of Changes in Gross Revenues and Expenditures: "Taxation Revenue" 2026 18,342,085, 2025 17,325,999, change 1,016,086, 5.86%. "1% increase/decrease is approximately $173,000".
Summary of Gross Revenues and Expenditures by Budget Category, Total, Taxation: 18,342,085 in 2026 and 17,325,999 in 2025, difference 1,016,086, "Increase 5.86%".
$168,745taken from reserves in 2026 to cover a predicted building permit shortfall
The building department is planned to cost $657,745 in 2026. Its fees are budgeted at $489,000, down from $544,000 in 2025. The $168,745 gap is covered by a withdrawal from reserves, where in 2025 the gap left to taxes was $53,026. The Municipality has explained part of this: it says permit fees were set "based on historical revenues received and forcasted building permit revenues" (spelled as printed), and that the shortfall is "predicted".
Why it matters
Permit fees are paid by people who build. If they do not cover the department, someone else does: either a reserve that was saved for something else, or taxpayers. A reserve can only be used once.
It could be because…
Building activity is lower this year, so fees are forecast lower. A reserve can smooth out a slow year.
The department also bought permitting software in 2024, and the budget says online payments raise bank charges. Those are costs that do not depend on how many permits are issued.
The 2025 budget had raised the building permit forecast, so the 2026 figure may be the Municipality correcting a forecast that was too high.
Questions you could ask
How many building permits and what permit fee revenue did the Municipality receive in each of 2023, 2024 and 2025?
How much is in the reserve that funds the $168,745 and how many years can it cover a shortfall of this size?
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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Building: 2026 expenditures 657,745, fees and charges 489,000, reserves 168,745. 2025 expenditures 597,026, fees and charges 544,000, taxation 53,026.
Building, notes: "Fees/Charges/Other-decrease in building permit fees based on historical revenues received and forcasted building permit revenues." "Transfer from reserves to offset predicted permit shortfall in 2026". "Increase in software and support costs due to implementation of Permitting software in 2024."
Operating Revenue: "Licences & Permits" 635,925 in 2025 and 579,500 in 2026, change -56,425. Note: "Decrease in Building Permit fee revenue and minor adjustments, increases and decreases to other licensing fees to reflect actuals (taxi, pet)."
$280,864increase in the 2026 OPP billing, with $173,000 taken from a reserve to soften it
Trent Hills pays the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) under a contract. The budget says the 2026 billing is $2,834,171, an increase of $280,864 or 11% on the monthly billing. It says the OPP's own starting figure was $3,261,303, and that a cap on the yearly increase brought it down by $427,132. In 2025 the same cap took off $431,907. The Municipality also moves $173,000 from a reserve in 2026 to soften the increase. The budget counts the increase as 1.8% of the municipal budget.
Why it matters
Policing is one of the largest single costs in the budget. The cap and the reserve are both temporary, so the bill the Municipality pays can rise faster later.
It could be because…
The OPP contract amount is set by the OPP, not by council. The budget describes the cap as a maximum increase over the 2025 monthly billing.
Using a reserve for a one-time smoothing is what the Municipality says it is doing: "to reduce impact of increase in Police contract".
Questions you could ask
What does the Municipality expect to pay the OPP in 2027 and 2028 when the cap no longer applies?
How much is left in the reserve used to soften the OPP increase?
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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Factors Affecting Budget, Agreements: "OPP increase of $280,864 over 2025 fee; 1.8% impact to the 2026 municipal budget."
Police, summary of adjusted OPP billings. 2025: initial total $2,985,219, grant/cap $431,907, total billing $2,553,312, monthly $212,776. 2026: initial total $3,261,303, grant/cap $427,132, total billing $2,834,171, monthly $236,181, year over year $280,864, "Increase (11% on the monthly billing)". Note: "Transfer from Reserve of $ 173,000 to reduce impact of increase in Police contract."
MDI-2025-001the directive for the 2026 budget, issued May 13, 2025
The Municipality's 2026 budget book says the province gave Trent Hills strong mayor powers on May 1, 2025, and that on May 13, 2025 Mayor Crate issued Mayoral Directive MDI-2025-001 telling staff to prepare the 2026 budget. Under these powers the budget is the mayor's responsibility, and council can amend it within 30 days or the budget is deemed adopted. The Municipality's own page says every Mayoral Decision and Directive is posted, and lists a written approval for the by-laws passed at each council meeting.
Why it matters
Strong mayor powers change who is accountable for the budget. The Municipality says the law requires the decisions to be posted. Residents should be able to find and read them.
It could be because…
The powers came from the province, not from a council vote. The Municipality is following the law by posting the decisions.
Written approvals of by-laws are routine: the page lists one for each meeting.
The budget was still put to council at two public meetings, December 18, 2025 and January 13, 2026, according to the budget book.
Questions you could ask
Have any by-laws been vetoed or amended under these powers since May 1, 2025, and where are those decisions 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 Trent Hills?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Background: "On May 1st of 2025 the provincial government gave Strong Mayor Powers to the Municipality of Trent Hills. At the Council Meeting held on May 13, 2025, Mayor Crate issued Mayoral Directive MDI-2025-001, directing municipal staff to prepare and present the 2026 Municipal Budget to Council." "If Council does not pass a resolution to amend or shorten the timeline within the required period, the budget will be deemed adopted following the expiry of the 30-days from the first presentation to Council."
Strong Mayor Powers page: "All Mayoral Decisions and Directives are posted below as required by law and in accordance with MFIPPA." The list for 2026 runs from MDE-2026-001 (January 13, 2026) to MDE-2026-011 (September 22, 2026). The links go to the Municipality's meeting portal, which we did not open (see the research notes).
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