Smiths Falls council received their 2024 audit this week.
The town spent $2 million more on payroll than 2023, with overtime playing a role.
The salary portion makes up for a large chunk of expenses, explained KPMG’s Lori Huber.
While nearly half the town’s expenses, Huber said the percentage isn’t surprising with their own police service.
CAO Malcom Morris says the municipality is in the middle of a growth period where hiring more staff would be less cost effective.
The town also fell $3.27 million below its projected surplus even though the revenues exceeded the original forecasts by $2.3 million.
Expenses were $5.58 million higher than projected with the biggest differences in transportation services ($1.3 million), protection services ($1.15 million), and recreation and cultural services ($820,000).
Story by Grant Deme
