Questions · 11 so far
We read Whitewater Region's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 37 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$3,597per home on long-term debt, 2025
Whitewater Region spent about $3,597 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $971. Only 2 of 37 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$65,140interest not counted in the 2025 statements (2024: $69,947)
Both the 2024 and 2025 statements say no provision was made for interest that had built up on long-term debt by December 31. The statements say adding it would have lowered reserves and raised spending by $65,140 for 2025. The auditor still gave a clean opinion.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$872,988moved to reserves in 2025, against a budget of $272,993
The 2025 budget planned to move $272,993 from the general operating account into reserves. The audited actual was $872,988, about $600,000 more. The Township has explained one piece of this: $118,528 set aside to soften future police cost increases.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$244,248general government spending over budget in 2025 (worked out by us)
General government (council and administration) was budgeted at $1,570,309 for 2025 and came in at $1,814,557. That is $244,248 over, or about 15.6% (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,611,048paid on long-term debt in 2025
The Township owed $13,429,190 in long-term debt at the end of 2025 and paid $1,611,048 in principal and interest during the year. Net municipal taxation was $8,568,606, so debt payments were about 18.8% of it (worked out by us; the two are not the same pot of money). The Township says it is within the Province's limit.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
+48%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Whitewater Region spent $2.0M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $2.9M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$4.9Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Whitewater Region had $4.9M saved at the end of 2025, up from $2.7M in 2019. That is 44% of one year's spending. Only 4 of 37 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 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 11% of everything billed. Only 4 of 37 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.
$15,467,661capital work in progress at December 31, 2025
At the end of 2025 the Township carried $15,467,661 as capital work in progress, up from $13,470,190 a year earlier. That is about 32.0% of the $48,285,642 net value of all its assets (worked out by us). The statements do not say which projects it holds.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
16 September 2026date printed on the auditor's report for 2025
The auditor's report on the 2024 statements is dated 15 April 2026, more than a year after that year ended. The report on the 2025 statements is dated 16 September 2026, nearly nine months after year end.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$44.71increase in municipal tax per $100,000 of assessment, 2026 over 2025
The Treasurer's slides say the 2026 operating budget rose 1.6% net of growth. The same slides show the residential tax rate going from $778.42 to $823.13 per $100,000 of assessment, a rise of $44.71. The Township explains that it has committed to raising its capital levy 4.2% a year, and the Mayor's budget direction capped the net tax requirement at 7%.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,597per home on long-term debt, 2025
Whitewater Region spent about $3,597 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $971. Only 2 of 37 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Long-term debt per home: Whitewater Region $3,597; typical similar town $971; ranked 3rd highest of 38.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 37 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$65,140interest not counted in the 2025 statements (2024: $69,947)
Both the 2024 and 2025 statements say no provision was made for interest that had built up on long-term debt by December 31. The statements say adding it would have lowered reserves and raised spending by $65,140 for 2025. The auditor still gave a clean opinion.
Accrued interest is interest that has been earned by the lender but not yet paid. Most public-sector statements count it. Leaving it out makes each year's spending look a little smaller and the reserves a little bigger than they would be with it. The amount is small next to the budget, but the statements point it out themselves.
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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 17 of the 2025 statements: "No provision has been made in these financial statements for the accrual of interest on the net long term liabilities. Had the provision been made, the reserve balance at 31 December 2025 would have decreased and expenditures would have increased by $ 65,140 (2024 - $ 69,947)."
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Note 17, PDF page 20
The same note in the 2024 statements gives $ 69,947 for 2024 (2023 - $ 51,804).
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2024 · Note 17, PDF page 20
Net long term liabilities (the debt) were $ 13,429,190 at the end of 2025.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Note 10, PDF page 17
$872,988moved to reserves in 2025, against a budget of $272,993
The 2025 budget planned to move $272,993 from the general operating account into reserves. The audited actual was $872,988, about $600,000 more. The Township has explained one piece of this: $118,528 set aside to soften future police cost increases.
Reserves are savings set aside for later. Saving more than planned may reflect caution, but it also means taxes or fees raised in the year were not all spent in the year. Residents can fairly ask what the extra savings are 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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule of General Operations: "Transfer to reserves" was $ (272,993) in the 2025 budget, $ (872,988) actual in 2025 and $ (373,014) actual in 2024.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Schedule of General Operations, PDF page 21
Schedule of Reserves and Reserve Funds: "Working funds" were $ 2,685,435 at the end of 2025, up from $ 1,670,252 at the end of 2024. Total reserves and reserve funds were $ 4,927,001, up from $ 3,872,817.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Schedule of Reserves and Reserve Funds, PDF page 24
The Township's explanation for part of it, from the public budget meeting slides: "2025 Budget committed $118,528 to reserve to offset/phase-in future OPP cost increases". Total OPP 2026 billing was $1,365,068, less "Capping by Province (11%)" of $183,706, for $1,181,362 payable.
2026 Budget Presentation, Public Meeting, December 11, 2025 · slide on Fire and Policing, PDF page 33
$244,248general government spending over budget in 2025 (worked out by us)
General government (council and administration) was budgeted at $1,570,309 for 2025 and came in at $1,814,557. That is $244,248 over, or about 15.6% (worked out by us).
General government is the cost of running the Township itself rather than delivering a service. A gap this size in one year is worth a plain answer, especially in an election 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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Consolidated Statement of Operations: General government expenses were $ 1,570,309 in the 2025 budget, $ 1,814,557 actual in 2025 and $ 1,583,601 actual in 2024.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 7
The same schedule shows total expenses of $ 13,417,531 actual against $ 13,427,159 budgeted, so the overall year came in close to plan.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 7
$1,611,048paid on long-term debt in 2025
The Township owed $13,429,190 in long-term debt at the end of 2025 and paid $1,611,048 in principal and interest during the year. Net municipal taxation was $8,568,606, so debt payments were about 18.8% of it (worked out by us; the two are not the same pot of money). The Township says it is within the Province's limit.
Debt lets a township fix roads and water plants now and pay over many years. But every dollar paid on old debt is a dollar not spent on new work, and the 2026 budget plans more road and water spending.
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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 11: total charges for net long term liabilities in 2025 were Principal $ 1,107,500 and Interest 503,548, a total of $ 1,611,048. "These payments are within the annual debt repayment limit as prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing under Ontario Regulation 403/02." Note 10 shows payments due in 2026 of $ 1,529,974.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Notes 10 and 11, PDF page 17
Schedule of General Operations: "Net municipal taxation" was $ 8,568,606 in 2025.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Schedule of General Operations, PDF page 21
The Treasurer's slides estimate the 2026 annual repayment limit: 25% of Net Revenues 3,221,180.51, less Debt Charges 1,529,974.84, leaves an "Estimated ARL" of 1,691,205.67.
2026 Budget Presentation, January 14, 2026 Final Meeting · Estimated annual repayment limit slide, PDF page 47
Statement of Financial Position: "Net long term liabilities (Note 10)" $13,429,190 at December 31, 2025 ($14,536,690 in 2024). Note 10: "Net long term liabilities at the end of the year" $ 13,429,190.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 6; Note 10, PDF page 17
+48%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Whitewater Region spent $2.0M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $2.9M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +8% | +1% |
| 2021 | +11% | +4% |
| 2022 | +31% | +11% |
| 2023 | +31% | +16% |
| 2024 | +47% | +18% |
| 2025 | +48% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $2.0M, 2020 $2.1M, 2021 $2.2M, 2022 $2.6M, 2023 $2.6M, 2024 $2.9M, 2025 $2.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Sewage treatment, from $498K to $987K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$4.9Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Whitewater Region had $4.9M saved at the end of 2025, up from $2.7M in 2019. That is 44% of one year's spending. Only 4 of 37 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $2.7M |
| 2020 | $2.3M |
| 2021 | $2.9M |
| 2022 | $2.1M |
| 2023 | $3.2M |
| 2024 | $3.9M |
| 2025 | $4.9M |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real cost.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $2.7M, 2020 $2.3M, 2021 $2.9M, 2022 $2.1M, 2023 $3.2M, 2024 $3.9M, 2025 $4.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 100% of a year's spending. Whitewater Region: 44%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 37 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$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 11% of everything billed. Only 4 of 37 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.5M.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $1.0M |
| 2020 | $1.3M |
| 2021 | $936K |
| 2022 | $899K |
| 2023 | $1.2M |
| 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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $1.0M, 2020 $1.3M, 2021 $936K, 2022 $899K, 2023 $1.2M, 2024 $1.5M, 2025 $1.7M. Of the 2025 total, $610K was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 7.5% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 37 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
$15,467,661capital work in progress at December 31, 2025
At the end of 2025 the Township carried $15,467,661 as capital work in progress, up from $13,470,190 a year earlier. That is about 32.0% of the $48,285,642 net value of all its assets (worked out by us). The statements do not say which projects it holds.
Work in progress is cost recorded for projects not yet finished. It is not written down (amortized) until the project is in service, so a large and growing balance can mean projects that are slow, large, or not yet closed out.
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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule of Tangible Capital Assets: "Capital work in progress" $ 13,470,190 at 31 December 2024, additions $ 2,018,055, balance $ 15,467,661 at 31 December 2025. The net value of all tangible capital assets was $ 48,285,642.
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Schedule of Tangible Capital Assets by asset class, PDF page 22
16 September 2026date printed on the auditor's report for 2025
The auditor's report on the 2024 statements is dated 15 April 2026, more than a year after that year ended. The report on the 2025 statements is dated 16 September 2026, nearly nine months after year end.
Residents rely on audited statements to judge how the Township is doing. When the sign-off comes many months after the year ends, the numbers arrive after most budget decisions for the next year are made.
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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The auditor's report on the 2024 statements is signed "RENFREW, Ontario ... 15 April 2026."
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2024 · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF page 5
The auditor's report on the 2025 statements is signed "RENFREW, Ontario ... 16 September 2026."
Whitewater Region Financial Statements 2025 · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF page 5
$44.71increase in municipal tax per $100,000 of assessment, 2026 over 2025
The Treasurer's slides say the 2026 operating budget rose 1.6% net of growth. The same slides show the residential tax rate going from $778.42 to $823.13 per $100,000 of assessment, a rise of $44.71. The Township explains that it has committed to raising its capital levy 4.2% a year, and the Mayor's budget direction capped the net tax requirement at 7%.
Residents see the tax bill, not the operating line. The gap between the two is the part set aside each year for roads, buildings and equipment.
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 Whitewater Region? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Key highlights: "Operating Increase 1.6% (net of growth)" and "Municipal Portion: 1.6%". Next slide: "Capital Increase 4.2%".
2026 Budget Presentation, January 14, 2026 Final Meeting · Key highlights slides, PDF pages 13 and 15
Estimated effect on tax rates: Residential Tax Rate 0.00823132 (2026) and 0.00778419 (2025); Tax per $100,000 Assessment $823.13 and $778.42; "Increase per $100,000 Assessment $44.71".
2026 Budget Presentation, January 14, 2026 Final Meeting · Estimated effect on tax rates slide, PDF page 54
Mayoral direction on the budget: "a net tax requirement of no more than 7%, and not to exceed 3.4% of median household income".
2026 Budget Presentation, January 14, 2026 Final Meeting · Mayoral Direction - Budget slide, PDF page 7