September 17, 2026
Got a door knocker today
I received a door knocker from Mayor Junkin today. Thanks.
Couple of criticisms on the financial bullet points.
Budget surpluses (actually I think he is just referring to surpluses - this is not a budget comparison. ) Here is a link where I explain what surpluses are:
Link https://svob4pelham.ca/surpluses-and-transparacey/
Surpluses here are the excess collection of taxes, user’s fees and grants less what the Town spent conducting its business.
Most of the Town revenue is from property taxes. The property taxes are set based upon an estimates or budgets for town spending. Once set they are collected and compared to town actual spending and a surplus (or deficit) number is calculated.
The surpluses are caused by raising taxes based using artful budget assumptions and then spending less or not executing as you promised.
This is not good financial management. It’s a fat budget process with a lack of financial accountability.
Net debt slashed from $41 million to 5 million in 2025. Yes it was reduced from $41 million in 2018 to $12 million in 2022. Primarily from land sales and tax increases. That was your previous term Mr. Mayor. You did a good job on this 7 years ago. In your current term net debt reduced $7 million - still a good trend.
These improvements in net debt have come from increased property taxes, year after year after year. In fact property taxes have increase 18% since 2023.
But this is not the real story because you are clouding the issue by not stating that we have good assessment growth which has a lowering effect on taxes. Real Town budget spending – which drives the property tax calculation has increased almost 27% in your last term.
Here are links to property tax and budget spending trends
It’s rather easy to improve the net debt calculation when you raise taxes like this. Good job!
It’s rather easy to declare surpluses when you raise taxes and don’t execute on the spending! Good job!
